Jazmee27 
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Well said :)
Reply #361. Dec 17 10, 7:47 PM
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satguru
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| Thank you! I've been working this stuff out most of my life, and as I've been pushed by someone to question it I did a number of tests and fairly sure unless there are a few exceptions that's how it is, at least if we know we can make the best of it. |
Reply #362. Dec 18 10, 10:34 AM
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satguru
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Being saturday I normally go to my father the other side of London, the gym and various other places afterwards. Six inches of snow later and it may not happen tomorrow or the next day from all I know. It's the worst I remember since 1968 and we have no idea how long it'll last. I kept pretty busy, was still able to walk around and take photos, and tried driving, got round the block, saw people sliding all over the place, and ended up having to reverse the other end of the road as the car wouldn't drive forwards when I got back. I had a live christmas quiz in a chatroom at around 8.30 pm and for the first time ever it won't let me in. I spent well over two hours peeing around with Java and anything else I could think of, but no dice. Everyone else could get in so it was something bad this end, and will probably never know what happened. Normally it wouldn't have mattered too much but we all had questions to ask this week rather than only from one or two people, I'll save mine for next time but couldn't answer everyone else's. Good timing...
I kept busy all day somehow, probably because I made sure I have a lot to do as I'm here a lot. I already got food last night so that won't be a problem and can easily walk to the shops as I did today just to see what the roads were like. I've never seen so many of the neighbours out- making snowmen, taking photos, sweeping snow and clearing their cars. A few had to push me when I got stuck trying to turn the car round, and never seen any of them before besides the person from over the road. That's London for you although this covered the whole large block where you'd be unlikely to know people more than two doors away in most cases.
Anyway, although the temperature isn't going to melt the snow tomorrow if no more falls I will have to see if it's possible to drive again, although little reason for it to improve. One way to get me to tidy the house anyway, as I'm bound to use up the internet after a whole day on it so far. Two hours completely wasted, added a few photos and posted a tune (including in Ask) I hadn't heard for 40 years or more and given to me in a dream. How that happens is anyone's guess but shows how everything is in there somewhere and ready to come out when called. Who knows what else could be locked in there- a memory maybe of a letter with my IQ test result, and where I put it possibly? But there's definitely a lot more going on behind the scenes than we're aware of. |
Reply #363. Dec 18 10, 5:13 PM
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satguru
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Amazingly although the snow still lay on my estate it had left all the main roads, so got off to my destination a day late, found they'd closed the gym despite no snow on the roads, and continued on my way. They're expecting more tomorrow and Tuesday, I really can't wait...
Nothing else really, I'm using the time indoors to look for more old signs if any are left, although I couldn't go there if I did at the moment. Maybe for a change I will leave it until I have something to report. |
Reply #364. Dec 19 10, 6:35 PM
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satguru
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Oh well, I ended up spending the day between internet providers till I returned home later tonight, I only missed the crystal balls (only one word looked possible although got earlier than I'd have tried) and the last round of the global although as it was meant to pause today I may not have tried it anyway and not playing them all. Tidying was done instead so did get something out of it.
Outside the world of quizzes the snow and darkness has made sure very little else has happened besides getting to the gym after missing two sessions beyond my control. I'm not making any plans besides family visits (ie my parents either side of London as there are very few others left) and see if anything else happens in the meantime. I have also received an incredibly bad response from all the people I've tried phoning and left messages with, what's the point of having a bloody answering machine when you never seem to be home if you ignore the messages? Rhetorical question, they're just avoiding me.
That has delayed various business and pleasure activities, plus the editor at the other magazine appears to have rejected my second article simply by not bothering to reply, although I do want to know what subjects she does want me to write on as that would help. If I get a haircut this week it'll also be a miracle as it's not as easy as you'd expect. I'm still mystified over the theory we can be happier by changing our thinking, as besides learning not to worry which is a general habit, I think very little in ways that do more than either describe the present, remember the past or sometimes speculate about the future. Labelling things good and bad is what we're designed to do, and although two people now say we can change them I'm not convinced. Setting myself up for a practical lesson I may ask the first person who told me the next time I bump into him, while the other seems to be creating a method mentioned by the teacher she has linked to me, but can't actually see it work the few times I've tried it. It assumes you are mistaking life for stress and to turn your thoughts away from what's causing it, but my mind tends to witness more than comment so haven't really got that much material to work on, assuming it could even change by doing so. Our minds are up and down like the weather only on a faster scale, and we are probably deluded if we think we can change them for the better, as like a great sculpture it takes a genius years to build and an idiot seconds to break. And no one able to put it back together afterwards. Unless I've missed something nearly everyone else since the birth of mankind has as well I suspect I'm being fed a red herring here.
I hope I do a bit more than expected tomorrow, it's a waste of time taking more than a few photos in the snow as everywhere is white and not recognisable. Every so often I get an inspiration out of the blue, but I expect most other people's experience is when anything good comes from inside or outside it's normally a surprise and can't be made to happen by choice. I love a challenge as long as it's possible but although will pursue this current one as long as it lasts do wonder why I'm bothering... |
Reply #365. Dec 21 10, 9:11 PM
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satguru
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The snow became slush, which has now frozen into sheet ice with a layer of snow, so although the main roads are fine any others and all the pavements are not at all safe and have to take great care and only go where there aren't too many risks. I managed a video today on the doorstep of the flyovers around my local major roads, it ran out just after 2 minutes but got the parts I'd planned to knowing the time limit as soon as the camera was turned on. I haven't any more disks anyway as am now transferring the data each time and reusing the same ones over and over again.
I'm slowly getting through the planned jobs, but everyone is stuck in the snow and half refuse to go out, and quite rightly so if they can get away with it. The haircut is a week away but booked due to christmas of course, my work booking is pending as involves filling in a form urgently, the car service will now be as soon as they get back to work following the holidays and then the eye test which may be worth delaying as the small print is getting smaller again. I'm free tomorrow and if the roads and light are OK have a photo mission to complete. I've got plans with the family over Christmas so no need to plan anything else, and the snow is due to melt over the weekend so may go out to celebrate when that moment arrives.
Meanwhile I've replied to the critics that if they have pointed out I have a problem I am the first person who wants to fix it, and reaching a certain age tend to have sorted the simpler problems already, so if one remains over 50 then it's going to be a bugger and not one that can clearly be solved. But I'm on the case and one thing I can say is all the great minds I've tested have no more solution than I do. If I crack this one there may not be much left. Knowing a problem is over half the job though as solutions may arrive simply by looking for them.
I'm a little naughty with Grace although only regaining my power after 15 years or so, as have managed to engineer it so she usually comes here when I see her, which is the one way I don't mind seeing her, besides taking her out for a walk in the good weather which we can't do again for a while yet. All the relationship issues are now cleared up, so the all or nothing offer of marriage or not has been heard and sent packing but she doesn't ever want to lose me as a friend regardless. It does mean there won't be a chance of a relationship either but as there never was I won't be losing anything and know where I am. I think I've got 6 people coming for new year, I wanted one new face for a change and she comes as a pair. With a birthday the same month save the larger numbers for then especially as it's normally shared with a friend who has one a few days later. And finally one person here knows I'll be looking forward to April as I hope to meet up again, and if requested will attempt the carrot tzimmes recipe for the occasion. |
Reply #366. Dec 22 10, 7:27 PM
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Jazmee27
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Hope the snow melts soon so you can get out :)
Looks like your area got our snow--we have really cold wind, and a few days had flurries, but nothing more than that [oh yeah, I forgot--there was a thin coating of ice the one day after it snowed, but it melted the next day, so... like I said, just the frigid winds like Siberia!]
Reply #367. Dec 22 10, 8:39 PM
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satguru
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| I've managed to get out most of the time since it fell on Saturday, but have to be very careful walking and driving on the side roads and they are still covered. It also spoils the photos unless you're a fan of snow as everywhere tends to look similar or just messy with dirty snow all over it. I'm managing to work round the conditions at least. |
Reply #368. Dec 23 10, 1:37 PM
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satguru
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Snow or not I've got myself off my backside, there's a group that has old photos of London next to current ones, so returned to my late grandparent's previous house taken around 50 years ago and took the three photos my grandpa did and sewed them together into a matching pair. Once they'd all been created I checked if I'd missed uploading any photos to the Geograph site of attempting to cover the whole of Britain with photos, and found quite a few from miles away I rarely get to, and once I'd added them from my external memories discovered a few I'd somehow managed not to even get online, so a very lucky find.
I expect I'll find a few more jobs to do tomorrow before I go out, any photos will be a bonus but will be looking at the map trying to see where I may have more to try. I ought to finish the painting as well as the tables spread across the room really should go out of the way now. And get the dining table clear for the visitors next week actually, that's looming closer now and must also phone everyone else to tell them I won't be there till late. I can't get food till the day before or it'll go off, so hope it's not snowed in again although that would also mean no one would probably get here anyway. There are two more days of ice expected with a thaw to follow. We hope.
I haven't got anything else on the system besides a few TV archive enquiries but always find it's best to forget everything once it's been sent off and if I get a result that'll be extra. It was almost a year before I heard about the article so it does happen. |
Reply #369. Dec 23 10, 7:03 PM
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| veronikkamarrz
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Merry Christmas, David! I know that isn't exactly right, but I really hope this season is good for you, and your family!:)
Reply #370. Dec 23 10, 11:34 PM
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Jazmee27
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Merry Christmas, David :)
Reply #371. Dec 24 10, 5:17 AM
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satguru
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| Thanks everyone, and to you, I've always celebrated Christmas as well, you can hardly miss it so may as well enjoy it! Still snow frozen to the streets but getting used to it. |
Reply #372. Dec 24 10, 11:36 AM
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satguru
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Nearly the new year here now Christmas is 19 minutes behind me, maybe time for some memories as usual. When I saw the how do I report something dubious in the forums it brought back some memories of my own position being informed of dubious activity and queries for five years. It's hard to refer to it without having to restrict direct references but suffice to say counselling is a large part of the work, people transfer their problems in their lives right here, and as other members can't hit them or walk out of the room in a huff directly then it seems it was easier to aim any stress they had with people there to those who weren't in total agreement or accord with them online. I don't know where it all went since then but barely see any of it now besides very rare exceptions, maybe it's deleted now before I find it. All I can say is if people disagree with you in real life you don't usually get annoyed or feel personally insulted so it's just the same here. I can't think of many examples where people have been in similar discussions in reality and got in such a state as somehow most people who aren't actually drunk seem to keep calm in life whatever is going on just beneath the surface. Put it on a screen and some people (everywhere, here was one of the least examples I can tell you) lose such inhibitions.
So that's a reference to human behaviour and not in the slightest specific to here, I am personally sarcastic at worst if the same person has consistently ignored what I've said, but who wouldn't be? My aim as a counsellor is to teach by example. If I don't get angry then in the same situation it proves it is possible and anyone else needn't either. Even for those born with a strong streak of anger it's not hard to let go once you realise it's better to and you can. We all feel it of course, but it's what happens next that matters. You can see it, realise it's there and take over, or let it take you over, simple as that. It isn't the same as other emotions as tends to peak and fall as an acute attack, rather than turn up and hang around like depression. It's also the conclusions people draw from what the other meant that causes such anger, and those who tend to assume the worst from others' comments will assume the meaning and intent to be far worse than it nearly always is. If you trust and believe in yourself already it's a lot harder to be bothered by what others think of you, although usually exaggerated in people's minds as well.
Of course being a counsellor you can't miss these phenomena watching any group, and know so much of it isn't necessary and can be changed if people wanted to. The first rule is if someone behaves badly whose problem is it? You may be the current witness of it but who takes it with them wherever they go? So if you realise it's their problem and you just happen to be in the way right now then it's not so much your problem is it? It's not as if we didn't know there were people like that till it just happened was it? It is that simple when it's not happening to you, so remember that and it will be then as well.
So, today's lecture over, I am on my third day of using the dreadful weather to plough through all my old photos and find the ones I didn't put on the Geograph site either as I couldn't Streetview the exact location till recently or simply forgot. No gym tomorrow being boxing day so will depend on the weather and light and inspiration where I go. Otherwise as I no longer think more than a day ahead besides the quick trip to the gym on Monday before it closes early is the only plan besides Thursday's haircut then will know when they happen. Going back to the memory theme I have managed a lot more this year than for many previous, only lacking in the social/relationship area, which I can't really do a huge amount about whatever certain people say, maybe that'll improve next year this time round. It couldn't get much worse... |
Reply #373. Dec 25 10, 6:45 PM
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| veronikkamarrz
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Happy Holidays, David! I try not to be angry about 'stuff' but now and then...I can't control myself! Never online though. That I can control! Thanks for your advise. I do learn from it.
Reply #374. Dec 25 10, 7:58 PM
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satguru
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| Thanks VM, and to you. It's good to know my message is received as well, the Buddhists are taught to pass by anger from birth and as a result it never becomes part of their experience. I'd say it's the easiest to handle, you don't get rid of it but let it go when it comes, then it gradually goes away on its own. |
Reply #375. Dec 26 10, 1:19 PM
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satguru
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Apart from half an hour on the outdoor gym in the ice (no, it didn't melt today as expected, fancy that) I've continued uploading new photos to the map site about a third day (or fourth, it all blurs together) and have some more when I get the other memory sticks. The real gym is open for a short time tomorrow and I just hope I make it in time. That means no photos as it'll be dark when I get back but it's not really the weather to go anywhere in anyway.
I have just heard the additional person/s for new year's eve aren't in fact coming, so unless I can think of someone else will be back to the usual four as the last 8 years or so. That's a challenge. I do ask a few other people most years but being new year is plenty of competition and the others all go somewhere else besides one who prefers to work during holidays. I will ask a neighbour in case she's free, and if not will search my contacts. Who knows.
Otherwise it's business as usual, any quiz wins here make the day useful, mainly the crystal ball or experts, which have been popping up every few days one way or another. Once the weather picks up I'll take photos of any gaps in the coverage to keep myself occupied, you always find new spots locally when taking photos as if there's anywhere you haven't taken yet there's a chance you've never seen it before either.
I'm hoping a couple of the people unable to visit (business and pleasure) last week mainly due to the weather may get here if it improves soon, and one is particularly urgent. I should find enough to keep me busy especially when having to clear the house for visitors which is the best way to get me to do it. That's more than usual so may as well get on with it and relax for a while. |
Reply #376. Dec 26 10, 6:34 PM
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satguru
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Thank goodness- last night around 8pm the rain came down, possibly the first time I've welcomed it, and stopped around 3pm today having washed away nearly all the snow. I got out and took some photos, and am using my computer generated map to see the gaps in coverage so I can take new places among the old. It got dark half way out but managed a few that didn't look like a three year old had taken them. There are a couple of hours before the TV programme, then a gap, then much later some more, but am on about day 5 of uploading photos to the map site so that can keep me busy for a few more days at least. And I did some of the washing up since the cleaner couldn't come over the holidays.
If there's anything else I have to do besides tidying up in readiness for friday night's visitors I've forgotten it, and will continue to until something forces it into my awareness. I'll let tomorrow and beyond take care of itself, no doubt something will occur to me as it usually does and also depends on the weather. I'd like to include more photos here as I used to but they're always on Flickr (same name as here) if anyone wants to see them all. |
Reply #377. Dec 28 10, 12:16 PM
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satguru
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I only left the house to post a letter today, but was very busy and had a lot to do indoors before Friday. The dining room table is nearly clear now, the latest painting from my grandparent's is up as I found a space over the stairs, my forms are signed and sent off, I didn't have a first class stamp so is likely to be a few days late but will expect others to end up in the same position every year. The builders expect to finish my late grandma's roof tomorrow so will arrive around the time of my haircut to be paid, and check my garage roof since my own builder became ill. I also need to go to the post office while it's open the only afternoon for two weeks. I'd get bored otherwise as only some of the jobs are worse than nothing.
Any more inspiration may arrive when I can use it, I'm on around day 5 of uploading photos to the map site and as each needs an exact location and direction some can take 15 minutes once I've either located them on various memories or found they've vanished and downloaded them back from Flickr. I'm still busy on my spiritual path, and the synchronicity still works very well, I had a few questions about it last night, turned the TV on today, chose the only channel worth watching and they were talking about the exact issue, one which is not the sort of thing you'd usually hear very often. It was about messages from a higher source and clearly sent by one. Ultimately we are meant to be able to control everything in life, or transcend it depending which school of teaching you follow. What they mean is you can do both but each favours one or the other. Of course if you feel good regardless then it doesn't matter what happens outside, but wouldn't that be a bit dull I wonder? Probably both is the way to go really.
So the day was far from wasted, and I even had a visitor although motivated by work rather than anything else. The baby who came with her originally is now about 8 and has had her own Facebook page for a year and calls me on the live chat. If they'd had the internet when I was that age I'd probably have been one of the trolls that drives everyone mad a lot of the time and ended up banned from most sites by 9. I wasn't rude but not very restrained or tactful. Come to think of it I'm not really any different now... |
Reply #378. Dec 29 10, 6:41 PM
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satguru
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I have spent the whole day tying up loose ends. First the builder arrived after finishing my grandma's roof, and will do my garage now my own builder is ill. Then the haircut, and post office, followed by squeezing all the food for tomorrow's visitors in three bags on the back of my bike. The Grace's sister, the one I was interested in, called from America, and after going over our own relationship difficulties in 1996 so I now understood it far better, explained why there was no way I could marry her sister, so at least that's sewn up. And into the bargain she said had she met me ten years earlier she may have married me as she didn't have the hygiene OCD, so basically it was her OCD that broke us up rather than me, which was quite a revelation.
So I can relax a bit now, I have the food ready to spread out once I get the chance, and at least have no jobs left on the list. I've barely played any quizzes as the internet's been tied up with my photos but haven't missed any of the daily ones. I hope I find something interesting to do tomorrow, although I have to wait in for the cleaner so will probably end up being forced to complete the tidying I started yesterday. Then it's 2011, my 51st birthday, finding out about my second article and whether the planning permission has gone through for my conservatory. And plenty of sausage rolls although doubt I'll see many of them tomorrow due to the gannets, I mean visitors. And the gannets eat more slowly... |
Reply #379. Dec 30 10, 7:44 PM
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| veronikkamarrz
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I hope you have a lovely gathering, and great 2011!
David, don't forget fresh hand towels, and full TP rolls! :)
Reply #380. Dec 30 10, 8:43 PM
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