Why ??!!...The whinging,moaning,complaining,ranting,letting off steam thread !!

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  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,544
    Congrats, @Ludovico!

    Nothing too serious here, but I accidentally misspelled my principal's first name in a formal email. I'm sure she won't mind--we've been working together for about 14 years now, but she remains my "boss" and so I'm still a bit embarrassed about the whole thing. I sent her another email apologizing for my error. I hope that was a good thing to do.
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 7,969
    Gerard wrote: »
    There's a true crime show here in France that has bbeen on air for 20 years, and contains some 250 episodes. So, can someone explains to me why, when a private channel decided to air it, they reair always the same ten or so episodes, multiple times per week ? It's not as if they were lacking in stories, right ?

    It's probably because they lack the 'rights'.
  • Posts: 14,824
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Congrats, @Ludovico!

    Nothing too serious here, but I accidentally misspelled my principal's first name in a formal email. I'm sure she won't mind--we've been working together for about 14 years now, but she remains my "boss" and so I'm still a bit embarrassed about the whole thing. I sent her another email apologizing for my error. I hope that was a good thing to do.

    Thanks @DarthDimi . If nothing else it gives me a steady and decent income for a while (better still as I barely spend for more than the essentials), a solid company to work for with a solid reputation and well, it ain't my previous job.
  • Posts: 5,808
    Do you need something, but can't find it because they don't make them anymore ? Well, recently, it hapêned to me. I'm looking for a rectal thermometer, preferably with liquid inside, just like they used to do, back in the time of dinosaurs (and mercury thermometers). Except I can't find any. All I find in local drugstores are electronic thermometers, that are only slightly better than toys. Bought one on friday, and due to the fact I had to clean it up after use, and that water and electronics don't mesh well together, it has already ceased to be, shuffled its mortal coil, breathed its last, and joined Dr. Graham Chapman in the choir invisible. I'm very tempted to buy one old-fashioned thermometer on the net, but... Frankly, back in the days, people didn't need to have a degree in electronics to use one of these.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,544
    Yeah, the mercury ones were abolished due to health concerns and the alcohol ones aren't nearly as good. Electronic thermometers should be (made) waterproof. I have some in the lab but I doubt you'll want to use those rectally since they are basically sharp pins... Wish I could help.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,803
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Rectal Thermometers are scarce? In a pinch I just use a pencil, basically feels the same.

    It's just that there's too much lead.
  • Posts: 2,895
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Rectal Thermometers are scarce? In a pinch I just use a pencil, basically feels the same.

    Make sure to use a #2 pencil or the results will be invalid.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,803
    Revelator wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Rectal Thermometers are scarce? In a pinch I just use a pencil, basically feels the same.

    Make sure to use a #2 pencil or the results will be invalid.

    Well I've heard of putting lead in your ear but...?
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    edited March 2021 Posts: 13,384
    To quote Die Hard 2, ( could be about a lead pencil )
    John McClane: Hey Lorenzo, let me ask you something: what sets off a metal detector first?
    The lead in your ass or the mod edit in your brains? ;)
  • edited April 2021 Posts: 5,808
    Right now, I'm puzzled. Tuesday, I received by E-mail my electricity bill. Seemed like Électricité de France (EDF) owed me € 104,68, which I was to receive "under15 days". Great, I thought, more money on my savings account. Except that today, I received another mail, which tells me that I owe EDF € 92,91, which I will have to pay on april 19th. So the question I'm asking myself is : Which is it ?Shall I receive € 104,68, or should I pay € 92,91 ? Or both, and in this case, why couldn't they give me the difference ? I may have to phone them to get an explanation. Anyway, my monthly payments have raised, of course, and from €24,67 a month, I'll now have to pay € 32,24 a month. That's all I seem to do these months : spend, spend, spend, with no end in sight, and no financial windfall to balance it.

    On a related note, I've learned that we will not receive our annual premium (some € 400-500), which is based on the benefits the postal service does every year. Not that they haven't had any, mind you, but apparently what made them those benefits was not covered in the union contract. Oh, and no CoVid premium in sight either, despite governmental promises, but i didn't expect too much from the politicians.

    UPDATE : Okay, it will be both. From what the EDF rep I spoke to on the phone told me today, they had changed y electricity meters. So, the first sum (the one they owe me) is based on my electricity consumption before they changed it, the second one (which I owe them) is based on my electricity consumption after they installed the new meter. I'm still winning some money, but not as much as I expected.
  • Posts: 1,639
    Watching british slumlords show.....one landlord lost 20k £ due to unpaid rent and they also trash the apartment , that alone can cost 100s to clean
  • Posts: 15,804
    I really wish my girlfriend hadn't passed away. It's been exactly three months ago tonight. Some days are easier, everything will feel fine, then an overwhelming amount of grief kicks in. This is going to take a long time. So many things I enjoy: Bond, old movies, scenic drives, etc we would do together. She didn't even get to see NTTD, which we were planning to see together.
    It's very difficult moving forward when your beloved passes on.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,948
    That's terrible: so sorry to hear that.
  • Posts: 15,804
    mtm wrote: »
    That's terrible: so sorry to hear that.

    Thanks,@mtm.
    It can feel like a normal day then suddenly the sadness comes in.
    I try to celebrate her life and cherish those memories. When Sir Roger passed she called to let me know so I wouldn't find out on Facebook. That was the kind of caring person she was. Also a big Bond fan!
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,544
    @ToTheRight
    I really wish there was something I could do or say to ease the pain.
  • Posts: 15,804
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    @ToTheRight
    I really wish there was something I could do or say to ease the pain.

    Thanks. My venting a little about it actually made me feel better tonight.
    One of the reasons I haven't been posting as much lately is just taking time to mourn and make some personal changes.
    The MI6 forums is a great place to escape from the obstacles of life and enjoy some friendly chatting about Bond and other topics.
  • Posts: 14,824
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    @ToTheRight
    I really wish there was something I could do or say to ease the pain.

    Thanks. My venting a little about it actually made me feel better tonight.
    One of the reasons I haven't been posting as much lately is just taking time to mourn and make some personal changes.
    The MI6 forums is a great place to escape from the obstacles of life and enjoy some friendly chatting about Bond and other topics.

    Really sorry to hear that. It really puts the general worries and plights in this thread into perspective.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    Once again Deepest sympathies ToTheRight , It rakes a Long , Long time to
    recover from the passing of a loved one.
  • Posts: 7,500
    I am sorry to hear about your loss, @ToTheRight.

    This community will always be there for you
  • Posts: 15,804
    jobo wrote: »
    I am sorry to hear about your loss, @ToTheRight.

    This community will always be there for you

    Thanks.
  • Posts: 14,824
    Maybe I should complain about this, first world problems and all that. We just learned that my four year old son just been admitted to the primary school he'll be going next year. Everything's fine and good so far, and it's a school that is one of the best if not the best in the area, according to Offsted and Times Educational Supplement. The only problem is, we haven't been there or met anyone from there. We would have loved to visit it but could not due to the current pandemic. So my wife picked it up as second choice due to its reputation and proximity. Now our third choice of school is a school we visited and I had a very good feeling about it. The head teacher was warm and friendly, he answered all my questions and concerns with ease and well, if it had only been of me I would have chosen that school as our very first choice. It's a good school, it just not have the outstanding reputation of the school my boy will be going to. So anyway, I just hope we made the right choice and it kind of worries me that I haven't been able to take a feel of the other. What if my boy is unhappy?
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 13,928
    It's important that your boy is happy, but before enrolling elsewhere it has to be clear whether he doesn't like the place and/or people, or just doesn't like school in general!

    What is also important is that your child doesn't go to too many different schools. I went to at least five different primary schools in seven years because my mum was always moving around the state. Just when I was learning to open up and socialize with the other kids, I was pulled out of school and had to start anew. I didn't have the chance to grow a group of friends early on. At nearly 40 years old, I still have difficulty making and keeping friends, and wherever I go, feel like I don't quite fit in. I don't know if mum realizes the effect it had, but still, don't make the mistake she did - your kid might end up with a social disorder.
  • Posts: 14,824
    QBranch wrote: »
    It's important that your boy is happy, but before enrolling elsewhere it has to be clear whether he doesn't like the place and/or people, or just doesn't like school in general!

    What is also important is that your child doesn't go to too many different schools. I went to at least five different primary schools in seven years because my mum was always moving around the state. Just when I was learning to open up and socialize with the other kids, I was pulled out of school and had to start anew. I didn't have the chance to grow a group of friends early on. At nearly 40 years old, I still have difficulty making and keeping friends, and wherever I go, feel like I don't quite fit in. I don't know if mum realizes the effect it had, but still, don't make the mistake she did - your kid might end up with a social disorder.

    Thanks. I would not want him to move from one school to another, especially since he hasn't had much chances to socialise since lockdown.

    We visited the premises of the school he's going to and I think he'll be happy there. My wife has a few friends and acquaintances who either work there or send their children there and we've only heard good things about it.
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    edited May 2021 Posts: 1,351
    Why have they still not figured out international streaming rights for big films during this pandemic?
    I was really exited for the Michael B. Jordan Ryanverse film on Amazon Prime, Without Remorse. Some good, dumb genre action. Apparently, critics aren't really in love with it. But it's still a grade-A lead actor, director and screenwriter and a literary character I used to like when I was a teenager.

    I saw the trailer posted in some thread here and listened to some podcasters talk about being hyped for the film. Not like a massive blockbuster, but a proper film that I am interested in. They released a German dubbed trailer: April 30th. There are articles in German blogs and newssites about it that come up when you google the title, saying: Global release April 30th. Even the damn German wikipedia page for the film says it was put on Prime on April 30th.

    And what happens? The thing isn't available in Germany. For some reason, whoever is in charge of this had the great idea: "Well, the US is moving out of the worst phase of the pandemic, so we better put it on Amazon Prime there, so people can watch it from home, but in Germany, where everything is still pretty fucked, we'll wait for a cinematic release at some point and then do the old window thing so it won't come to Prime until like November or some ." The damn film has a German Prime page and everything, but you can't start it, because it isn't available in my territory. What the ?

    I thought we were moving past this. It hasn't all been without hiccups, but for most of the stuff that was released to streaming in the US and had the marketing push and general chatter that comes with that, there was some legal way to get it in Germany. But apparently that only goes for films I don't actually care about. Once there is something interesting available, those start dreaming about a massive cinemativ release exclusively in Germany? Really bummed about this.

    Mod edit: please, mind the profanities.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,948
    I watched it on Saturday night: I wouldn't get too disappointed you can't see it! :)
  • Posts: 14,824
    I have a blog (lost art I know). Yesterday blogger had an issue and I lost one of my old blog post. It says it has been reinstated, but it has not: https://vraiefiction.blogspot.com/2020/10/all-about-ghosts.html?m=1
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,544
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I have a blog (lost art I know). Yesterday blogger had an issue and I lost one of my old blog post. It says it has been reinstated, but it has not: https://vraiefiction.blogspot.com/2020/10/all-about-ghosts.html?m=1

    Did you save a copy of the text somewhere? It's true, it sucks to lose content one spend a lot of time creating.
  • mattjoesmattjoes Kicking: Impossible
    Posts: 6,724
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I have a blog (lost art I know). Yesterday blogger had an issue and I lost one of my old blog post. It says it has been reinstated, but it has not: https://vraiefiction.blogspot.com/2020/10/all-about-ghosts.html?m=1

    @Ludovico is this it?
    6pHaL5C.png

    All About Ghosts

    For today's countdown to Halloween's reading suggestion: All About Ghosts, a book I often blogged about and which I revisited this year. Although Usborne's books series on paranormal was aimed at a young readership, its images remain pretty dark and sometimes even gruesome for its targeted readers. I don't know how we managed to convince my parents to buy us this one, given my mother's dislike of violence, horror and anything that was potentially nightmare inducing. Maybe she was not payign attention, maybe our pleas were very convincing. Be that as it may, All About Ghosts was THE spooky book of our childhood, telling us about folklore, legends, "real life" hauntings and... a great deal of questionable information. The book is not without its flaws: it is heavy in pseudo-science, it does not teach skepticism or critical thinking one bit. (although there is a section about hoaxes and debunked claims of hauntings) Reports of hauntings are presented as quasi proven and basically it blatantly encourages its readers to be believers in the supernatural. That said, I am easily forgiving because of how well done it is as entertainment: the atmospheric and absolutely gorgeous images and the pseudo-documentary approach should give any reader, young or old, a few pleasant shivers. I don't believe in ghosts, but when I open this book, I play along. Reedited recently with a foreword of Reece Shearsmith, because nostalgia sells.
  • Posts: 14,824
    mattjoes wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I have a blog (lost art I know). Yesterday blogger had an issue and I lost one of my old blog post. It says it has been reinstated, but it has not: https://vraiefiction.blogspot.com/2020/10/all-about-ghosts.html?m=1

    @Ludovico is this it?
    6pHaL5C.png

    All About Ghosts

    For today's countdown to Halloween's reading suggestion: All About Ghosts, a book I often blogged about and which I revisited this year. Although Usborne's books series on paranormal was aimed at a young readership, its images remain pretty dark and sometimes even gruesome for its targeted readers. I don't know how we managed to convince my parents to buy us this one, given my mother's dislike of violence, horror and anything that was potentially nightmare inducing. Maybe she was not payign attention, maybe our pleas were very convincing. Be that as it may, All About Ghosts was THE spooky book of our childhood, telling us about folklore, legends, "real life" hauntings and... a great deal of questionable information. The book is not without its flaws: it is heavy in pseudo-science, it does not teach skepticism or critical thinking one bit. (although there is a section about hoaxes and debunked claims of hauntings) Reports of hauntings are presented as quasi proven and basically it blatantly encourages its readers to be believers in the supernatural. That said, I am easily forgiving because of how well done it is as entertainment: the atmospheric and absolutely gorgeous images and the pseudo-documentary approach should give any reader, young or old, a few pleasant shivers. I don't believe in ghosts, but when I open this book, I play along. Reedited recently with a foreword of Reece Shearsmith, because nostalgia sells.

    Yes and thanks. I found the solution yesterday, managed to recreate the post.
  • Posts: 5,808
    I've just scared my cat with a profanity. The reason ? Well, wednesday, I took advantage of a promotional offer (and the fact that I can at lesat buy them) to change my shoes. Trouble is, I took the wrong box and got a pair of shoes size 42 instead of my usual 43. Fine, I told myself, today, I'm going to change them. So this time, I get the right box (size 43), nand later that evening (right now, in fact), I discover that somebody had put size 40 shoes instead that size 43 box !!!!!!!! I'm willing to admit that the first error was all mine. I'm even willing to admit I didn't get a good look at what I was buying today. But this time, I'm certainly not the only one at fault here.

    Oh, and another thing : I HATE fastcaptchasolver !!!!!!
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