Early Risers.

[Tony_S]

I have just been online buying a replacement phone. It isn’t for me, it is for Aditi. She is perfectly capable of buying one but for historical reasons (she was too busy at work to go shopping for such things) the account is in my name and we got a better deal by upgrading than starting a new account. Anyway I suspect she will be too busy tomorrow to do the tedious stuff of watching files transfer over. It is fairly similar to my phone that I upgraded recently so I have the requisite data cable. 
Tony

[tigerburnie]

I chose not announce when my birthday was this year, shame that paranoia over having your details hijacked has come this eh? Maybe I have become a tad over careful, but I've removed my date of birth from everywhere I can online just in case, probably wouldn't stop anyone, but might slow them down a bit..............................not that I've got any money SWMBO has spent it all. 

[Ian Abel]

Happy birthday @jonny777

 

 

Moaning!

 

Yesterday, the news of the "ideal car" wasn't good.

It was scheduled for servicing as they had seen some issues with the charging circuit - a particular problem you DON'T want for a Hybrid!

Turns out there are more issues/problems that have surfaced, and they're not recommending purchasing that vehicle.

 

The GOOD news is that they've got another, very similar vehicle, same year 2019, 4,000 more miles (still only 25,000) and actually one trim level HIGHER than the one we were interested in, for the same price. This adds A/C seats as well as heated and a heated steering wheel - both EXCPETIONALLY desirable here due to the weather extremes, and a high end Sony sound system, seems like a reasonable "trade off" for 4,000 more miles.

Needs to be transported from another of the dealers locations, so not sure when we'll get to see it, couple of days at most hopefully.

Meanwhile, we continue with a rental car...

 

Otherwise, yesterday uneventful, Meagan and their two dogs came over and the Mrs and Whitney all went for a walk, becoming a regular Monday occurrence, they all like.

The evening saw us "study" for our murder mystery. With Jemma home over the weekend we postponed our weekly Zoom dinner/murder solving with our friends until tonight.

Think we have a firm idea as to who else is going to be dropped as a suspect, just need to confirm tonight with our companion investigators

 

5 and partly sunny first thing, expected to reach 16 later

 

Enjoy the day.

[Sir TophamHatt]

Afternoon all.

 

Been a weird few days...

 

The person who I worked with (on a temporary basis) just so happened to be off sick the last two days.  We have a meeting later this week, which I'm not sure why as we're very unlikely to be working together for an extended period of time any more.  But there's a whole load of swaps going on around the office, which may force us to work together again in the future.  Clear rules will have to exist before I somewhat agree.  Not sure yet.  Ultimately, I'll be working in a different venue anyway.

 

However today I picked up a ride-on train for Master Topham Hatt.

He very much enjoyed being pushed around in a box the other day and the little bit of experience on a ride-on police car (that you push with your legs), he really enjoyed that but it's a little too big for him.  The train comes with track and a handle to GO or STOP.  Hope he won't be too scared of it but £35 (like-new) for something that is £140 new, not bad.  Previous owner was scared of it, hence sold on.

 

I also managed to fill in the wall nicely to re-hang (?) a shelf.  Only for the next shelf down to need some work!  Tut.  I hate DIY, especially the simple things like drilling and putting up shelves.  I guess I'm more technical and much more at home with computers.

 

Just ordered myself a Hatton's 66 too.
Chip + speaker, plus chips and speakers for another train are on their way - loads of expensive post hopefully arriving this week.

[simontaylor484]

1 hour ago, Gwiwer said:

And whose seat is Arundel Castle.  A long way from Norfolk.  

And traditionally owned a lot of Sheffield various street names relate to them too. 

 

Edited March 9, 2021 by simontaylor484
Missed off text

[BoD]

Happy birthday  Jonny777 - or more correctly Jonny778 now.

[PeterBB]

@Gwiwer Your humorous commenting on the House of Fun are extremely entertaining and following your successful foray into publication I feel that you have a book inside you e.g. 'Tales in the life of railway platform staff'' / 'Railway platform tales' or ...  'The real railway travelling public' or a more succinct title.

 

Elected second chamber - @Philj, @Joseph_Prestell and @TheQ may have 'Trumped' (second chamber use) my answer in one sense but the French system of 'Xn x10' parties effectively argues out decisions and leaves it all to Macron - or should I say the power of French 'irresponsible' strike action to decide what happens.  I'll leave it at that.

 

Edited March 9, 2021 by PeterBB
Trying to find the sources

[polybear]

4 hours ago, tetsudofan said:

The guy who turned up last night was one of those who did not agree to the extension of the parking zone and was looking for the owner to get them to move the van although he had no right to insist that she moved the van as it was parked on a public road causing no obstruction. He got quite aggressive when I told him that it's something we have to live with.

 

I notice that today the van is still parked outside his house. Be interesting to see how long it stays there, made my day!!

 

 

How DARE anyone park a van outside a big expensive house??  Lowers the tone n' all that.....

Bear also lives in a cul-de sac, though problem parking is rarely an issue.  Bear is at the top of the road, which helps; I often do get unknown cars parked outside, but (a) as long as they don't block my drive and (b) don't park with two wheels up on the grass verge (and hence chew it up) it's no issue for me.  The guy at the start of the road is less than happy as someone has chewed the grass up good n' proper outside his house; Bear suggested imbedding some steel spikes in the verge, with just the tips above the surface.  He likes that idea....

We do get numerous vans (east european owned we think) parked at the start of the road though, so turning into the cul-de-sac has to be taken slowly and with care in case there is a vehicle driving down the cul-de -sac.  Bear is worried that some Bozo may tail-end him when being cautious as a result.  I'd complain to the Police and Council (yellow lines?) but then that would push these vehicles further up the cul-de-sac.  So it's better to keep quiet about it.

 

2 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

CV19 has got a hold here this time, with 400 now infected, the Kent variant (thanks, Lurker!) proving as virulent as they thought.  All from one ferry crew member....and some late decisions from the Chief Fraggle and his cabinet.  They almost got away with it.

 

 

I bet that Ferry worker is popular - is he/she a Fraggle?

 

1 hour ago, tigerburnie said:

I chose not announce when my birthday was this year, shame that paranoia over having your details hijacked has come this eh? Maybe I have become a tad over careful, but I've removed my date of birth from everywhere I can online just in case, probably wouldn't stop anyone, but might slow them down a bit..............................not that I've got any money SWMBO has spent it all. 

 

Bear has the same philosophy, even to the extent of using an imaginary DOB for those websites (Forums etc.) which require one when registering for an account.  So Bear has two birthdays, a bit like the Queen.  Of course that means.....two Birthday Cakes!!

 

A day of more wallpaper hanging.  So far, so good - more tomorrow.  I'd not earn a living at it, that's for sure.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Just spent a little over an hour sorting out my will. Its not as simple as I thought. Basics are quite simple, apart from a few simple bequests its all distributed between my niece and nephew. Problem comes with the disposal of my books and models, few if any are of interest to my heirs. Some items will be distributed among friends and family but I don't think I will be able to catalogue everything unless I live another 30 years. 

[polybear]

28 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Just spent a little over an hour sorting out my will. Its not as simple as I thought. Basics are quite simple, apart from a few simple bequests ......

 

Does this mean you're leaving the cake tin (hopefully with some contents) to Bear?

[PhilJ W]

3 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Does this mean you're leaving the cake tin (hopefully with some contents) to Bear?

Cake tin, what cake tin? And I didn't know bears ate bread pudding. 

[New Haven Neil]

Evening.

 

Yes Bear, a Fraggle....and you can't tell them anything....those argumentative Celts Gwiwer was talking about!

 

500 cases now.  Its out of the box.

 

NHN was OIC Wallpaper in our old gaff, and what a task it was with 10 foot ceilings, thankfully this one is paint only, which leaves it to Mrs NHN as I'm not allowed to paint, I make a mess apparently. Shame....

 

Fish n chippy night, socially distanced queue at the side window, well organised.  Yummy too, enjoyed them, but the view was somewhat compromised by it hissing down and blowing a hoolie.

[monkeysarefun]

6 hours ago, TheQ said:

One suggestion for the second chamber would be a house voted in by a totally proportional system. that would give, quite often, a very different proportion of members than that of the lower house..

 

 

Koalas hate that here cos we have to pinch their trees to make our upper house ballot paper.

 

 

Edited March 9, 2021 by monkeysarefun

[southern42]

3 hours ago, Sir TophamHatt said:

Afternoon all.

 

Snip...

 

However today I picked up a ride-on train for Master Topham Hatt.

He very much enjoyed being pushed around in a box the other day and the little bit of experience on a ride-on police car (that you push with your legs), he really enjoyed that but it's a little too big for him.  The train comes with track and a handle to GO or STOP.  Hope he won't be too scared of it but £35 (like-new) for something that is £140 new, not bad.  Previous owner was scared of it, hence sold on.

 

I also managed to fill in the wall nicely to re-hang (?) a shelf.  Only for the next shelf down to need some work!  Tut.  I hate DIY, especially the simple things like drilling and putting up shelves.  I guess I'm more technical and much more at home with computers.

 

Just ordered myself a Hatton's 66 too.
Chip + speaker, plus chips and speakers for another train are on their way - loads of expensive post hopefully arriving this week.

 

Remember this?

 

Edited March 9, 2021 by southern42

[monkeysarefun]

4 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

CV19 has got a hold here this time, with 400 now infected, the Kent variant (thanks, Lurker!) proving as virulent as they thought. 

Three  times in three different states we had a UK strain panic when quarantine workers caught it and spent several days in the community at pubs, restaurants, cricket and so on before getting tested.

 

Each time resulted in citywide emergency  lockdowns, track and trace rounding up everyone who had been in supemarket X at time Y and so on, and each time not a single case of community transmission occurred.

 

The UK strain just doesn't seem to  like it here, I guess it reckons the beer is too cold  and it can't get a decent jellied welk or whatever they are..

[PhilJ W]

 

13 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

 

 

Koalas hate that here cos we have to pinch their trees to make our upper house ballot paper.

 

 

The system used for the Euro elections you only voted for a party not an individual. It did mean that the lunatic fringe parties had a better chance but that was because there was only 73 seats. Between five and eight times that number spread over more constituancies should counter that.

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

 

The system used for the Euro elections you only voted for a party not an individual. It did mean that the lunatic fringe parties had a better chance but that was because there was only 73 seats. Between five and eight times that number spread over more constituancies should counter that.

 

You get the choice here. You can just number a  box for a party and let them sort out the rest or if you are like my dad you can number every box from 1 to 1514 in the case of the one  pictured. Thats why they have to serve us sausage sandwiches at the voting booth.

Edited March 9, 2021 by monkeysarefun

[New Haven Neil]

6 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

Three  times in three different states we had a UK strain panic when quarantine workers caught it and spent several days in the community at pubs, restaurants, cricket and so on before getting tested.

 

Each time resulted in citywide emergency  lockdowns, track and trace rounding up everyone who had been in supemarket X at time Y and so on, and each time not a single case of community transmission occurred.

 

The UK strain just doesn't seem to  like it here, I guess it reckons the beer is too cold  and it can't get a decent jellied welk or whatever they are..

 

UK?  Where's that then?  Oh, the adjacent island!

[Ozexpatriate]

Re: Bicameral representative democracy

 

Quote

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time;

Winston Churchill, Speech in the house of Commons, 11/11/1947

 

I have observed many upper chambers. (My home state no longer has it's legislative council, though there is a vestigial room* carpeted in red in old Parliament House. This concentrated a lot of power in the Premier with periodic problematic consequences.)

 

* Curiously, online photographs do not comport with my memories of it's dinginess. Perhaps it got a good cleaning, or it really makes a difference when the window shades are opened?

 

The Australian system of preferential voting is (in my opinion) bonkers. With 76 senators (12 from each state and two each from the NT and ACT) the Senate is quite top-heavy with a lot of window dressing. By contrast there are 151 members of the House of Representatives. The Senate is greatly complicated by multi-party factions and coalitions which is much more chaotic than the two (well three) parties that dominated when I last voted in Australia.

 

The US Senate is an interesting compromise of an attempt to balance state power versus population-proportional power (in the house). This has many unintended consequences - good and bad according to one's lights. Power is rather concentrated with 100 senators (versus 435 members of the house). It gives small states (like Wyoming, with two senators and one representative in the house**) the ability to hit well above their weight. With the current 50/50 split in the US Senate, Republican Senators represent 43.5% of the population.

 

** Wyoming actually only has enough people for ¾ of a representative but we haven't figured out precisely how to do that so they get one.

 

Having said all that, as a point of principle, I don't think that either hereditary or appointed legislators have a place in a representative democracy. In 1912 the constitution of the US was amended with the 17th amendment to require election of senators - rather than appointment by State legislatures. Without devolving into politics, discussions in some states, in the wake of the 2020 federal election to give legislatures oversight over the will of the people, seem to me, contrary to the spirit of a democratic process. 

 

Edited March 9, 2021 by Ozexpatriate

[Ozexpatriate]

4 hours ago, Ian Abel said:

This adds A/C seats as well as heated and a heated steering wheel - both EXCPETIONALLY desirable here due to the weather extremes

I would consider heated seats and steering wheel as "essential" in your climate - with a remote start so they can warm up before you get in. Cooled seats would be nice too.

[Erichill16]

Evening All,

Firstly and most importantly happy birthday to Jonny777 and let there be more of them.

Sorry not been around much today, works been attracting my attention. One of those days when you get one job done and another two turn up. Well today the job that should have got done didn’t and as per usual two more reared their ugly heads. 
As regards H and M, putting private issues in the public domain is never going to solve family,  all it will do is increase the bitterness. Didn’t watch the programme, got enough to handle myself thank you.

At least Sydney’s here, warding off the dark one.

Feel like an early night, so goodnight,

Robert

 

[Ozexpatriate]

5 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

CV19 has got a hold here this time, with 400 now infected, the Kent variant ... proving as virulent as they thought.  All from one ferry crew member....and some late decisions from the Chief Fraggle and his cabinet.  They almost got away with it.

 

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

500 cases now.  Its out of the box.

Here in Oregon we appear to have a spontaneous mutation of B.1.1.7* with "Eek" (E484K) producing a virus alike to the the South African and Brazilian variants. Researchers currently believe this to be a local mutation and not introduced.

 

* Here called the "UK Variant", which I'm guessing is the same as the "Kent variant"?

 

Happily cases continue to decline, but contradictorily deaths over the last few weeks are increasing.

 

10% of the population is fully vaccinated, but clearly this is not over yet. 

[brianusa]

There's been a minor freeing up here, if you have had both vacs you can now eat in restaurants with other twin vacs, non masked inside a restaurant.  Otherwise everything else remains.  Its a start so see how it goes!

     Brian.

[Gwiwer]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

....those argumentative Celts Gwiwer was talking about!

It was BlackRat, not me!  He started it!

 

3 hours ago, PeterBB said:

I feel that you have a book inside you

I have seldom had to eat my own words but you may be right - I could indeed digest the contents and regurgitate them in a readable form   

 

In other news Dr. SWMBO has been appointed as Environmental Officer with the Resdident’s Association Upon the Hill of Strawberries.  The first practical application of her environmental history doctorate albeit the scope is fairly modest.  Reportage of fly-tipping and abuse of recycling facilities, plan spending of funds awarded for environmental improvements locally and, her own agenda item, to increase biodiversity and awareness of environment. 
 

She has my full support of course.  We might even get a few more daffodils on the station!  
 

Best wishes to one and all. Sleep well when it’s time. 
 

 

[Tony_S]

18 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

to increase biodiversity

You have been encouraging the squirrels with your planting so far.