Early Risers.

[DaveF]

A bright sunny morning here, shortly I'll go out to have a look at the sea and then settle down to look at yet more old photos.  The washing machine is on as the shower curtain needs a wash to prevent any mould growth.  Once the present little health problem is sorted I think I wil start to think seriously about a new bathroom - and if I decide to have one I shall move out while it is done - my house only has one loo!

 

Yesterday evening I realised that with a little bit of modification the model railway could be improved, it just involved a quick check for clearances and now an extra coach can be used.  The question is, why didn't I realise this ages ago?

 

Yesterday's gardening means that there is now not much more to do until Spring, except for cleaning the greenhouse glass and frame - perhaps a job for next week.

 

David

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a rock that had a touch of frost on the cars first thing, and is a sunny 8c now. 

 

Sunny isn't a word I would use for myself currently, the coughing has basically stopped but energy this morning is totally lacking, feeling really quite rough again.  We're supposed to be going out for lunch with Jayne, not sure I'm going to make that.  Really getting very fed up with this now.

[BoD]

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

satisfying to have the "pleasure" of a copy of the sexiest Oscar winning actress as an ersatz "girlfriend", such things could rapidly "go to the bad" (so to speak).

You mean they quickly learn  to have headaches and hint that the house needs redecorating?

[Hroth]

4 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

Morning, from a rock that had a touch of frost on the cars first thing, and is a sunny 8c now. 

 

To the east of the rock, its sunny and about 8c too!

 

[PhilJ W]

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

As advanced as Japanese robotics are, I don't think their anywhere near the sort of "synthetic human" that are portrayed in both film and game.

 

One thing I can see happening should (when?) we get synthetic humans/androids who are completely indistinguishable from biological humans; is conflict over whether or not such androids should be "neuter" or "anatomically correct"

 

A further issue that is likely to arise with such synthetic humans, assuming that you can build a synthetic human to be an exact copy of anybody, is what sort of restrictions should be placed on using the image of people in the public eye to create androids. 
 

Whilst it might be amusing to have an android copy of the current prime minister/president as your valet/chauffeur/handyman or satisfying to have the "pleasure" of a copy of the sexiest Oscar winning actress as an ersatz "girlfriend", such things could rapidly "go to the bad" (so to speak).

 

All very thought provoking - which is what good Sci-Fi (not that Star Wars nonsense) does: use the future to make us think about things today.

A lot of pornography on the internet is created using CGI already (or so I am told) so it's almost certain that if when robotics reach the stage where a humanoid is indistinguishable there will be robotic prostitutes. The problem is that CGI porn includes pornographic images of children and this could be carried over to a robotic model.

[PhilJ W]

3 minutes ago, BoD said:

You mean they quickly learn  to have headaches and hint that the house needs redecorating?

Even worse, SWMBO learns how to program it.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

There was a litter bit of frost on the workshop roof this morning, but that has now gone. The current temperature is 3C, but there are no clouds to be seen and the sky is blue. I’m not going out to collect Ava this morning, Vickie and Ian are dropping her off instead, as they are going shopping this morning. So to occupy myself until Ava arrives, I’ll continue reading about painting back scenes etc. 

 

Back later. 
 

Brian. 

[Peter Kazmierczak]

Right, I'll give that laurel one last chance. Will get out my long pole lopper thingy and give it a go. It's just bugging me when I see the bush out the back window...

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Only one call-out from bladder control last night but someone pressed the button several times between getting up and breakfast. There is a small model railway show at Theydon Bois today but I won't be going as it involves negotiating the A127 and A12, not something to be taken lightly this time of year.

Edited November 11, 2023 by PhilJ W

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

Really getting very fed up with this now.

 

 

 

[woodenhead]

Amazing how quickly discussion on real artificial intelligence and robotics sank to the bottom, whilst no doubt that could and would happen that is not the reason to create them.

 

You wouldn't want a indistinguishable robot for dangerous activities - why waste money on such quality when all you need is the thinking element, ditto for working in warehouses, your robots just need enough intelligence and dexterity to carry out a task.

 

Where humanoid robots indistinguishable from humans come into play is where they have to interact with humans in a care environment - be it to help the young, infirm or disabled - there the independent thought and appearance would be beneficial and effective.  Of course from there they would quickly spread to servants and other activities.  But here's a thought - if you have developed a proper moral compass for such sentient artificial beings, would they do the less savoury tasks asked of them or would they rebel, a artificial intelligence would make up it's own mind, a machine with a fake AI like ChatGPT would only do as it is programmed.

 

AI has yet to be invented, what we have currently is just a very well programmed 'guess the next word' algorithm.

[Peter Kazmierczak]

It was really quiet in the garden; a robin came to see what I was up to. Managed to lop off a few of the remaining tall bits so I'll call it a day with the laurel. Stood quietly at 11am and said a little prayer.
The sky was cloudless towards the north; saw a Norse UK Boeing Dreamliner on the 1035 Gatwick to LA and a Turkish AIrlines Airbus A330 on the 2340 JFK to Istanbul, flying high in the sky above.

Almost surreal to see these international flights passing over Dorset...

[TheQ]

Late Mooring Awl,

4 hours sleep, long awake , 2.5 hours sleep.

 

Ben the happy Collie enjoyed a stroll out in the light ground frost, none on the car.

 

I them made numerous attempts to post on another forum, without success. That's on this tablet and on the laptop.

So I gave up in disgust and had breakfast . Then went out shovel in hand.

4 wheelbarrow loads of driveway moved.

Then I took 4 slabs and two half slabs to the other side of the house for some trial positioning in the side alley., The first round needs 12 more slabs.

After having a play I've decided to put a row down each side of the alley sloping down to the middle, where I'll make a gully, that will also fill in the mix match in width between slabs and the side of the house and garden wall.

 

Now just having a break before Ben taking me for his long walk, after which I'll retire to the muddling room.

 

 

[woodenhead]

Just had this pop into my feed elsewhere - whilst I continue to be amazed by the great thinkers of our current age Trump, DeSantis, Bobert, Taylor-Green and Hannity I need to give a mention to the ancient Greek Eratosthenes who proved the Earth was round using just sticks and convincing a man to walk 800Km.

 

 

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, woodenhead said:

Just had this pop into my feed elsewhere - whilst I continue to be amazed by the great thinkers of our current age Trump, DeSantis, Bobert, Taylor-Green and Hannity I need to give a mention to the ancient Greek Eratosthenes who proved the Earth was round using just sticks and convincing a man to walk 800Km.

 

 

 

 

Interesting video which I did watch the whole way through  but it was somewhat spoiled by his choice of apparel because all I could think of was  this  ABC  Late Show sketch from the early 1990's:

 

 

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Watched the Armistice followed by the Lord Mayors parade. There was in the parade a contingent from Genoa in Italy and the commentator pointed out that the majority in that contingent were wearing jeans. This was because denim was developed in Genoa.

 https://italiannotes.com/origin-blue-jeans/ 

The pro Palestinian march also went off peacefully, some right wing troublemakers intent on causing trouble were quickly dealt with.

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by PhilJ W

[grandadbob]

Back from Tolworth after an enjoyable morning at the show which had some excellent layouts, most of which were working nicely.  A couple had hiccups and I always feel for the operators, as one guy  said "it was working perfectly when we tested it earlier."   Had a quick chat with Ian @roundhouse  and also Graham "Muz" but didn't see  anyone else I know apart from a couple of the regular traders.  I did manage to find some bargain priced cars  (Oxford diecast and Pocketbond), much cheaper than a couple of the other traders so was rather happy about that.  The Boss is paying for them so they've now been confiscated to be wrapped up for next month's festivities!  As I didn't spend my "allowance" some more have been ordered from Widnes.  

Soon be time to settle down and watch the rugby so farewell for now.

[The White Rabbit]

Afternoon all,

 

Blue sky and sunshine here. Though it's better observed through glass than 'au naturel'. 'Conservatory sunny' rather than 'gardening sunny'. Despite that, I did venture out briefly, managed to get a couple of little jobs done in the back garden. One involved turning some soil and I was quickly joined by a robin, who took a particular interest in my activity. He must have been rather hungry as he was hopping about within a few feet of me and a couple of times I thought I could have fed him by hand. So, did a bit, left him to scoff some small worms I'd just unearthed while I took a turn round the garden and got the crick out of my back, did a bit more, then time for a second helping, etc. etc. 

 

I've noticed over the last few days some posts have been reluctant to let me rate them, or display who else has rated. Especially on Night Mail. Strangely and without much hard evidence (yet), I think it seems to be the same people's posts that are slow or throw a strop. Others are less so. Very peculiar, though there will no doubt be a logical (if obscure?) explanation. 

 

The bluetits have certainly adopted the new bird feeder, the level of the peanuts is being visibly lowered. I haven't seen any sparrows on it yet though. The blackbird is busy scoffing the holly and redcurrant berries; the woodpigeons are trying to copy him but are making a reight fist of it, dropping two or three times the number they actually consume. 

 

It could be a good day to travel on the Settle and Carlisle. Sun and cold air to keep the visibility good. A few years ago I spent some Saturdays 'photting' specials, though I would horrify some 'lensmen' by combining it with a pub lunch. You make one quiet little joke about it steadying your hand for the afternoon and the gallery looks at you as if you'd just admitted molesting goats... In best Blue Peter style, here's one I did earlier on a November day from a few years ago at Ribblehead:

 

 

I needed a tripod for this one and the tripod needed me leaning on it, even then I could feel it trembling like a dog who has just seen we've turned into the road leading to the vets. After an hour loitering (with shutter finger stuffed inside my coat to stop it freezing up) I was very glad to decamp to The Sportsman a few miles away in Dentdale and thaw out in front of their open fire. (Nothing against Ribblehead's Station Inn but as about 50-60 photters had just walked in ahead of us, I thought we'd do better moving on a bit). 

[PhilJ W]

32 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Back from Tolworth after an enjoyable morning at the show which had some excellent layouts, most of which were working nicely.  A couple had hiccups and I always feel for the operators, as one guy  said "it was working perfectly when we tested it earlier."   Had a quick chat with Ian @roundhouse  and also Graham "Muz" but didn't see  anyone else I know apart from a couple of the regular traders.  I did manage to find some bargain priced cars  (Oxford diecast and Pocketbond), much cheaper than a couple of the other traders so was rather happy about that.  The Boss is paying for them so they've now been confiscated to be wrapped up for next month's festivities!  As I didn't spend my "allowance" some more have been ordered from Widnes.  

Soon be time to settle down and watch the rugby so farewell for now.

If your still looking for more cars there's a toy fair at Crofton Halls, Station Road, Orpington BR6 8PR. on the 10th of December 09:45-13:45.

[Danemouth]

5 hours ago, DaveF said:

 Once the present little health problem is sorted I think I wil start to think seriously about a new bathroom - and if I decide to have one I shall move out while it is done - my house only has one loo!

 

We had a complete bathroom refurbishment this summer. Like you we only have one loo - the local company doing the job understood this and made sure the longest we were without a loo was about three hours. IIRC the existing loo was removed and put back in place four times over the two weeks. The new loo was only fitted after the tiling and flooring were completed.

 

Dave

 

 

[woodenhead]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

 

The pro Palestinian march also went off peacefully, some right wing troublemakers intent on causing trouble were quickly dealt with.

 

So the Home Secretary was half correct in her article and the police did come down hard on the extremists. 

[jjb1970]

I am safely ensconced back in warm Singapore. Some spectacular lightning between Vietnam and Singapore, the flight took about 30 minutes longer than planned as it skirted some serious storms. From wheels touching the runway to getting home was 75 minutes which isn't bad given I live on the opposite side of the island.

 

Air China was fine, no complaints apart from less than great in-flight entertainment. One of the most embarrassing moments I had on a flight was an internal flight with China Northwest Airlines a few years ago. It was a brand new Airbus A320 (literally, the builders plate by the door showed a build date a few weeks before the flight so it can't have done much more than a delivery flight and acceptance checks) and immaculate. A loud English speaking voice spoke very loudly 'this isn't that bad, I thought we'd be sat next to a pig' followed by various objectionable comments with one of the flight attendants standing adjacent. She didn't flinch but it can't have gone down well. I  used to fly Chinese carriers (including Air China) a lot to get to the shipbuilding cities and never had any problems. For once it wasn't a jolly Brit abroad making an ass of himself.

 

It's a long weekend here for Depevali/Diwali, so back to work on Tuesday.

Edited November 11, 2023 by jjb1970

[DaveF]

I went to the beach a bit further south than usual this morning, the sun was unbroken but it was cold with a northerly breeze.  Most people had dogs with them, I felt I was the "odd man out".  Some dogs ran energetically after balls as they were thrown for them, others walked slowly along to collect them, especially labradors.

 

Some sand has gone missing so some of the large concrete anti tank blocks from the war were exposed.  There were bits of seaweed inland of the dunes by the car park which shows how high the water got.  The car park and the walk through the dunes are only just above high tide level.

 

I got back home for coffee which I had quietly around 11.00.  Then as planned I looked at old photos, some I didn't remember taking and had to look up where they were.  After lunch I cleaned the outside of the greenhouse glass and checked that all the glazing clips are still there.  On a day when there is no wind I may replace a few badly rusted ones.  Next time I clean the glass I will need a new long handled cleaner, the old one fell to pieces just as I finished so there will be a trip to a suitable emporium soon.  The inside of the glass can wait for another day.

 

Then I ran some trains followed by a quiet sit and read some magazines and started a Sudoku which I will finish after tea.

 

This evening looks like being more reading or watching football followed by the Festival of Remembrance.

 

So far today the waterworks seem to have behaving themselves after a shaky start.  It is quite difficult to follow the instructions for applying the ointments without needing to put them both on at the same time which is not a good idea.

 

Photos of the beach this morning, around low tide.

 

Looking north with tops of anti tank blocks

 

Looking south

 

Beach, sea, human - the dog moved out of shot just as I pressed the shutter.

 

David

[grandadbob]

2 hours ago, Danemouth said:

We had a complete bathroom refurbishment this summer. Like you we only have one loo - the local company doing the job understood this and made sure the longest we were without a loo was about three hours. IIRC the existing loo was removed and put back in place four times over the two weeks. The new loo was only fitted after the tiling and flooring were completed.

 Very similar to you Dave, when we had ours done a couple of years ago we were only without the loo for two/three hours at a time and it was taken out and put back several times. We're lucky though that our neighbours are good friends and offered us full use of their facilities and our offspring only lived 5-10minutes drive away. This was especially useful as we had the bath replaced by a walk in shower so we were without either as the whole bathroom was stripped and retiled.

Edited November 11, 2023 by grandadbob

[southern42]

' evening all from red dragon land.

6 o'clock and pitch black out. <<Blurrrrr>>

 

Some sorting out, this morning, of recycling and shredding paper and card material. At least that is going well. I am also trying to keep up with everyday household recycling. Most is ok, it is just an awful lot of bother having to rinse out (and get dry) the drop-off-at-large-store bags. I generally just put them to one side ready to go into a plastic bag which is ready for recycling but there are so many bags and wrappings now I feel as if I am drowning in the things. I have been thinking of getting one of those suitable for kitchen multi bins for ages but looking at the recycling which goes on here makes me hesitate. I think, as it gets colder, wetter and windier over the coming months, I will not be wanting to go out to the recycle bins every few minutes and will have to make a choice and get one!

 

I managed to sort out my railway society membership renewal this week. I had renewed it online, or so I thought, but I soon discovered, when I tried to pay someone else, that there was another "submit" button off screen   (i.e., Scroll down...!), on what I thought was the last page, to complete the process! One of those we-want-to-verify-this-time pages. You live and learn. Looking at my bank statement confirmed my idiocy!

 

Today's toot on the flute sessions highlighted a couple of problems with the new twiddly bits so it will be back to the video, tomorrow, to see how it is supposed to go. 

 

Now, I am off to do dinner.

 

Take care. Be good. Be ready...!

Polly

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by southern42
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