Lochalsh 
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Oh, my, Lesley's drooling. Quick, duck! :)
Happy week, David.
Reply #421. Feb 14 11, 10:12 AM
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satguru
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Next door only just bought the house (on my information as they didn't know it was for sale till I told them) and although it was for the woman and her elderly mother the mother died before it was bought, and the daughter now has it for herself. She wanted to double the size (they both had arthritis so wanted a bungalow) and as a corner plot has done so as has the one opposite here and me, and needed an office for her photographic studio and the back bedroom was too small. If she can afford to buy me a room to get it I am definitely not complaining. In a month disaster permitting I will have somewhere to store my excess furniture, car models and books and no doubt sit and look at the garden in the summer with my tea.
The Chinese was a good investment in the end as the chicken and rice provided lunch and dinner the following day which easily paid for itself. My ex comes most weeks and we always have pizza (and with her programmed routine has to be from the same place since we stopped collecting it ourselves) but as we'd both had it already she chose Chinese. Double the price but good stuff from Blackbird Hill if you know it (the road name, not the shop).
I am returning later to see whether the DVD is there yet, and also tomorrow see what the back looks like after a day of builders. They have to make a wall first and fill the space with rubble as the garden is a few feet below the house, and then erect prefab walls they will order when the floor is ready to get the right size. Then they will plumb it in and wire it up and I'll order a carpet and as the door is already in place to it will be ready to use.
Fingers crossed I'll get the car service as well, the snow followed by weeks of rain put me off and have to get it done. Then more photo trips planned depending on the available light. Anything else will as usual be a bonus. |
Reply #422. Feb 14 11, 5:22 PM
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satguru
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| Update, DVD present, Allan Solomon included as well as two more familiar maths faces but it won't work on the TV player so may be owed a new one. But I've managed to bypass the buttons on the computer and open each file directly at least. |
Reply #423. Feb 14 11, 7:56 PM
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satguru
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Bed or blog? This always wins, it's a bit like emptying the mind before I sleep so possibly therapeutic. I have to justify it somehow. I've been busy on my latest collecting spree again, and the photos now taken for place rather than content (I was running out) show just how specific half my other photos were as I've been all over the place but only taken the same things and passed everything else by as it was boring. Now I take a photo wherever I can basically park the car and as a result have a random selection of roads wherever I go like a video diary.
The builders have started the foundations of the new room and it looks pretty big to me. That'll take a lot of books and half my car collection so make the other rooms look bigger when they go there. If they finish mine in one go as they ought to it should be done long before the one next door which already has its foundations. After two days on the road and 50-60 photos to show for it tomorrow is a day of rest, well earned, and hopefully my friend from across London can make it after his job round the corner. I feel very qualified to have a rest day after three going all over the place with the camera. Don't mention work- I do see a couple of people at the moment, one is done on the phone as he's too far to visit, but still takes the time and thought. But work is something for me which left me rather than vice versa as with the best will in the world every job I had since 1992 either let me go or if applied for didn't take me on. In the end I found better ways to manage partly as I'd saved enough previously when I did to be able to do so. That's fate and the fact my mother was widowed (not my father thank goodness) and my grandma became ancient (she wouldn't have disagreed once she hit 90) my time was spent taking them round supermarkets and grandma to medical appointments as well as staying over when she wasn't well etc. As the only child and grandchild only my parents could help her out along with my late uncle's wife. But my father lives miles away and I didn't so I was happy to do the most as what else are families for, and had she paid (as she had to a few times) the carers earned plenty for it which I did for nothing besides whatever I could get in the supermarket trolley when I went. She didn't want anyone besides family helping her and I was one of the few left. That was more valuable than helping some sod make a profit and getting hardly any of it yourself. I did some accounts as well as the counselling until he went out of business, and will do anything people I know ask me to if I can as well.
So I am getting there, wherever there is. I'll always be learning as there's so much to learn, infinite if you think about it. And one thing I've learnt recently is however well qualified people are the simple logic will always beat them in a fight. That is not something everyone can use however many degrees they get. |
Reply #424. Feb 16 11, 9:54 PM
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satguru
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The new room is growing nicely after the first week, I don't know how long it'll take but doesn't bother me as they're working outside and don't bother me. I've made two photo trips this week and hallelujah took the car for its service yesterday while although I was probably charged around £100 more than the official price of the main dealer could walk there and back. At my time of life (middle not old age) that's worth it and suspect although they may not have done it when I did use them, the advertised price may well then add VAT and extras in most cases so creep up towards what I paid anyway. If I have to return for parts I'll have another look but really too past it to put myself out to save some money once a year.
No specific plans beyond the existing ones but can relax for a bit knowing I've done plenty this week, except Grace is visiting Wednesday but that is not quite notable in so many ways... Never mind. |
Reply #425. Feb 18 11, 10:11 PM
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satguru
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I managed a quick trip for new map squares for my hobby before it got dark, an ignored muscle injury means instead of avoiding the gym (paid monthly) by choice I am now forced to not lift anything as it kept making it worse. I still go and do everything else, and at least will now be working on my fitness for a change rather than the big weights.
I have to visit the solicitor to drop off the paperwork for my grandma's (possible, this is England) house sale tomorrow and with any luck will carry on into the country beyond with the camera. Otherwise the week is an open book and won't feel guilty whatever I do or don't do, when you have freedom you may as well drop the issues and let your mind be free as well as your body. People who feel bad doing very little should never do so if that's what makes them feel good at the time. Some people will try and make you but that's their problem.
The pain and possibly medication has worn me out today so may well have a relatively early night. All daily quizzes are played and no actual replies left to make now so no excuses. I think. |
Reply #426. Feb 21 11, 8:05 PM
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| lesley153
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I'm going for an early night too - it's not three o'clock yet. I hope your muscle mends quickly (((((()))))) and the sale goes through smoothly.
Reply #427. Feb 21 11, 8:48 PM
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satguru
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| Thanks Lesley, whatever treatment I did yesterday worked as I can barely feel it now. That was a surprise and incredible relief. I did the delivery, couldn't pay the meter as a pound coin was jammed in it, and buggered off to the park quickly for a little walk around before coming home. I'd have liked to go to around Radlett but need to recover before anything more. |
Reply #428. Feb 22 11, 1:44 PM
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Jazmee27
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Hope you feel better soon ((()))
Reply #429. Feb 22 11, 3:51 PM
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| lesley153
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I'm glad something helped!
Did the sale go through when it was meant to, and does the family have plans for what to do with the proceeds?
Reply #430. Feb 22 11, 5:09 PM
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satguru
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Firstly a day of treatment (tablets and gel) seemed to do the trick as I was almost pain free a day later and as long as I'm careful barely notice it now. Thank goodness that only lasted a few days as it was becoming hard to bear. The house is going through the usual endless enquiries, they seem happy enough with the structure but may not yet have discovered the path to the park has been shut off they expected to use for their dog. There's another a couple of hundred yards round the corner so hardly a problem, but people can make a fuss over the smallest things and find they tend to make far more of an issue for many people than the others. That's called being spoilt and selfish but anyone who's either worked in a shop or tried dating agencies soon discovers that fairly quickly. The pathetic reasons I've heard people complain or be put off about while accepting much larger faults in my opinion means they've probably rarely had to miss out on anything exactly the way they wanted it.
Today the Polish tribe (three of them) arrived and will start the garage roof on Friday, while the Irish brigade are in the back garden. It says quite a lot when the hardest working and often cheapest builders are from elsewhere. No doubt the two groups will start some friendly banter except I don't think one lot are likely to understand a lot of it. The foundations are complete now at the back and need a suspended floor and probably an inner wall before they erect the conservatory, although looks like they'll only need two walls as the third is the side of my kitchen. That should save a day or two as well.
Grace has been round and is now 3/4 of the way through the queue for her inquiry after nearly three months so will now monitor it online for her to see the progress. I'm now buying her (not with my money but knowledge) a computer as although her family have a few in the house it seems none let her use them. She's been getting her email here for 10 years now when she gets a chance and told her how much more she could do if she could go wherever she wanted online. Tomorrow is my day off unless the ex arrives, although as she wanted to come today Grace was an improvement and presume she'd have called by now had she wanted to book me tomorrow instead. One thing about my peculiar (can I say that?) friends, they may be odd themselves but introduce them to any other of them and they are instantly aware of all their shortcomings regardless of their own. It doesn't stop them seeing it in others but seem quite normal to themselves even when certain unkind people point it out they can't really see it. As my neighbour said, they're all harmless, which is why I see them, but still sadly little different to babysitting. I even missed most of the football tonight when she said she hated it, that takes some doing. |
Reply #431. Feb 23 11, 8:46 PM
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satguru
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It's been a very productive week, the builders have already replaced half the garage roof while the extension is getting there gradually. I did two trips north for photos having exhausted Surrey already due to its proliferation of old road signs so am now beginning Hertfordshire simply as I haven't taken that many there so far and there's nowhere else left nearby. The next trip is lined up for next week and otherwise twiddling my thumbs till any more ideas come to me.
My arm is a lot better still, I did a couple of things that started it off a bit during the week but now I know how I'll avoid it, and still going to the gym but doing 100% legs/aerobics instead of 10% as I have till now. That should finally cover my weight and fitness after trying to build up my upper body since 2002. Otherwise the final job (OK before they all come round again, but at least that only happens when you're still alive so not such a bad thing) is my eye test so will try and fit that in after the next photo trip along with the Marks and Spencer one. Isn't life exciting... |
Reply #432. Feb 26 11, 6:17 PM
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| lesley153
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What fun to watch your new extra room grow as you watch.
Take it easy, please. No trying to prove your arm is better when it isn't. (That was my stern voice.)
Night! :) *yawn* it's three o'clock. Does that count as an early night?
Reply #433. Feb 26 11, 9:11 PM
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satguru
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Three- average for me at the moment but am winding it back slowly again as I do need to do things the next day sometimes. I've got used to avoiding using the arm now, the gym routine is fine although by chance today they were having a competition on the arm bike and I had to try it for a few seconds but was careful. Otherwise I'm behaving.
I intend to have a rest tomorrow and return to the trips the following day or so. The rest will take care of itself. |
Reply #434. Feb 27 11, 8:17 PM
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satguru
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Interesting day quite not as planned. The ex rang at 1am last night for an hour, holding my tasks up and ending up with a late night. When I finally got up the first thing that happened was she phoned again to tell me she was coming later and carried on for another half hour, guaranteeing twice I wasn't going out anywhere although hoped a further out photo trip now the days are getting longer.
As soon as she put the phone down my friend's sister called for over an hour to catch up, then I had to phone a psychic friend and a client, totting up three hours before the ex called to tell me she'd arrived. The good news was she'd brought dinner for me although she then used the fact to cancel out the money she owed me for the phone bill (she spends half the day on it wherever she's living including the time here). I think it was worth it and at least had a nice meal ready for me without any delays.
Hopefully the trip will follow some time this week. Today the garage roof appeared completed (I didn't go out to look at the wood indoors that needed replacing) but the fact they didn't come today tells me they did the lot in three days flat, which is pretty impressive. The flat area newly felted over had puddles on it but as watertight shouldn't be a problem. I presume they expected paying yesterday but I wasn't home and haven't had a call to request it yet. As they're not local will need to make a special journey this way again but it's here as soon as they want it.
The extension is growing slowly. It was meant to be a conservatory but actually will be a fully functioning room, as one wall must be brick as it overlooks next door and one already is as the back is L shaped. I presume buying a conservatory which should have three sides will not mean they're forced to buy one and throw two away, and you can buy individual walls if required. By the way, I've just heard one of the cheap airlines also no longer accepts cash. Although this is apparently not illegal there should be some challenge to it, if not then a boycott should be put in place. If one company refuses cash it will mean they all can and it would become worthless and wreck the economy.
So I've had a few smaller finishes so far, the latest trip to Buckinghamshire after what must have been 8 years since the last trip to the border on that road at least, and the garage roof presuming it's really done. Now I have to get someone to take the rubbish away in it from old carpets, loft beams which were taken out in 1999, and whatever else is hiding underneath that. At least then what has to stay can be stored without added water and the resulting mould that's ruined quite a bit of it already. That'll pass a good couple of days when the weather improves at least.
So after thinking today was ruined when I couldn't go out I ended up doing plenty, and whatever follows hopefully will go the same way wherever I end up. |
Reply #435. Mar 01 11, 9:18 PM
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satguru
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The work on the house is going nicely, the garage was finished in a few days and ready to clear it out now and have to get the old asbestos removed as well. The extension stopped on Monday and presume they must be waiting for the wall and roof to arrive before they can add the floor and plaster the other three walls. I did my country trip yesterday as the sky was blue and had all the time to go there, and got my food today so covered my requirements. I then got two calls done so clearing the list as I go.
I think energy definitely opens up for every area, just like the crystal ball here demonstrates with people winning a few in a day regularly. That's not average in any way a few times let alone nearly every day. The energy frees and closes for things and that's a graphic way of showing it. If you're doing even better it can stay open, and that's what spiritual work aims to do for us. So I'm working on whatever needs working on and if I then have to spend a few hundred pounds on stronger reading glasses yet again then so be it. I can just manage the small print but it's becoming marginal again. |
Reply #436. Mar 03 11, 4:40 PM
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satguru
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Interesting. Sometimes things actually go smoothly- the asbestos isn't actually asbestos, it's asbestos cement and can be removed free. End of problem one. The work out the back has stopped as the glazier is away this week, so hopefully soon the roof and window will go on so they can add the floor and plaster the walls. Getting there. I'll start clearing the garage soon now it's done, although I haven't even looked inside to see the new beams as I've hardly been in during the day since it was finished.
Marks and Spencer supplied me for another week or two yesterday and went on a trip to the country to get more places for my photo map as a nice sunny day today. I then guessed the local ironmonger could change my watch battery (first since I bought it in 2002 as far as I remember) and after we worked out how to get it out he then did as I always do and dropped one of the tiny screws. As I've found nearly every one I did, I had a method and after he gave up asked the two places it could have dropped, found a similar tack on the floor, and then went to the bench and lifted up his newspaper and it was lying there right under it. They couldn't believe it but as I scan like the police look in fields in straight lines along the area it's got to be there somewhere unless it bounced off something. At least I provided some entertainment for them as after another 15 years (I used the same shops until I was 5 and we moved) living here have begun to get to know a few of the new lot of shopkeepers, who like the ones where I lived previously are all Indian. Not mainly Indian or a lot of Indian mark you, but Indian. I also started using my Gujurati I learnt when I was teaching and stopped when I left as had no one to practice with, and must get it going again and will go there if I need to improve.
I have a new client tomorrow for the UFO sighting type work which is always interesting, so had to tidy up in advance and then get the recording equipment ready, studio 4 track, two mikes and a power supply which is a bit of a pain to set up every time but has to be done. It must be well over a year since the last one so good to add some more material to the research. Then I am free and will see what happens next. |
Reply #437. Mar 04 11, 9:17 PM
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satguru
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Another week ahead, hopefully the glass will be put on the new room and then the rest get under way, and will also finally be able to start clearing out the garage after leaking since I moved in. I've got more photo trips planned now the new project is to take as many new places as possible, so getting to see many places I hadn't for a long time as had no reason to go there otherwise.
I've also thought of a third article for the UFO magazine which should turn out well if enough information is available for research. That should keep me busy all week one way or another at least. The government despite raising hopes by getting a bill through two stages unopposed the PM has just pulled the law planning to stop our clocks going back, so any chance of increased photography has now gone down the toilet and heading for the Thames. I'd call them bastards but may get the word deleted if so.
So there's the skeleton, I'll see what's added in a few days or so. |
Reply #438. Mar 07 11, 4:37 PM
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satguru
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I am learning to overcome my tiredness with the new photo trips, I was woken early when the builder arrived to be paid and couldn't sleep again, but decided I had just enough energy to carry out my next trip, and although flagged a couple of times have my tablets and a couple of other things I use to stop me giving up altogether. The remnants of chronic fatigue may not ever quite go, five years on I am fine within my limits, but trying to push them now and see what I can do. I returned with another trip in the bag and more of the map covered so pretty pleased with myself. The car having been serviced and still only showing 9000 miles is free to use, although so slow compared to what I'm used to it probably halves the distance compared to if I had the old car. But with petrol double what it was then I simply can't afford the luxury of a big saloon and have to make do with a small hatchback and let it go as fast as it can when I know the others would have been there and back already.
I can relax tomorrow now, and do the work here including the garage and visiting a couple of neighbours. And tidy the desk as a good few papers have hidden under the avalanche again. I will also start my quiz category badges I discovered last week (are they new?) and go for 3000 in a day per category. If I could get paid for playing quizzes or uploading photos I'd be able to afford to live in Golders Green by now as I spend half the day doing one or the other. Better than many things though despite the total lack of income... |
Reply #439. Mar 08 11, 7:53 PM
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satguru
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I'm getting through my little jobs list, business and pleasure. I did another photo trip to the country yesterday and spent the rest of the day uploading them as each needed an exact location which needed Streetviewing and some can take ages to pin down exactly even a few hours later. I could relax and stay in today, and noticed an odd (but not that old) road sign near me where I couldn't stop so used the chance to go on my bike and get some exercise, and found yet another park nearby I'd never seen before as I only went to the DIY warehouse opposite without noticing anything the other side of the road.
I also thought of an article to write over the weekend, and spent the remainder of the evening writing that, which was a lot quicker than I expected as it needed more research than usual. It was about conspiracy theories and hope they approve of my level of evidence, albeit having to leave a few names out to protect the innocent. Tomorrow should see the start of clearing the garage out now I can use it, plus the old asbestos roof needs bagging up (the remaining parts are too big for the bags though) as technically they aren't illegal to transport as not a lot in the roofing types. But if I want it removed they tell you to double bag it and that means something has to be made to fit, without damaging it for obvious reasons. I'm not filling the car with it and driving five miles plus to dump it myself as the council do take it free which is the only thing they do now.
I then have a couple of neighbours to visit and that should take care of the next day or so.
The glazier still hasn't arrived to finish the conservatory walls so they can plaster them and put the floor in, meanwhile they're adding the roof next door which wakes me up about 8am onwards but somehow get back to sleep most of the time. They'll get there in the end.
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Reply #440. Mar 09 11, 7:40 PM
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