Early Risers.

[AndyID]

7 hours ago, newbryford said:

 

Have you not heard about the Iranian Insurance salesman?

 

Asif...…..

 

Alas no. But we do have a gekko from North London.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRTUxP0_NM8&list=PLwTsyIROsacirTnEiL8I2dP4P_cQveKY7

 

 

[Happy Hippo]

2 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

 

Just don't get caught on-road with red diesel in the tank.  Checks are carried out here. Not very often and mostly in rural areas but drivers of any vehicle found with red diesel will face a hefty fine, plus duty, unless they can prove entitlement to drive on-road using that fuel.  

The slightly dodgy builder around the corner got caught doing just that by an HMRC inspection team.

 

It cost him £1000.

[Ozexpatriate]

8 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

On the Swiss site, the company restaurant had wine and beer available and it was not unknown for people to have a glass of wine or beer at lunch - the company trusting its employees to behave like mature adults, whereas on the American affiliate site (run mostly by Americans, although some Swiss were seconded there for tours of duty) if you were found with any alcohol on the company site - even if in a sealed container - it was an immediately sackable offence....

In practice alcohol use in a white collar work space is highly variable. The company I worked for hosted something they called "Friday Afternoon Club" for software teams every Friday and alcohol (craft beer and wine) was served. For a while my department had a very informal Friday evening craft beer event. We had a 'fridge and it contained beer. We would open it if the situation called for it. We didn't have any at lunch.

 

Most business entertainment at lunchtime (at least in my industry) did not include alcohol - except in Milwaukee where it was normal. Business entertainment in the evening routinely involved alcohol.

 

In the same company's Finnish and Swedish offices, "small beer" was routinely served by the cafeteria/canteen. These of course were low alcohol. There was wine in the Paris office.

 

8 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

How much of this attitude was down to the US management team not trusting the employees; local, state or national law or the rather funny love-hate relationship that exists in America for alcohol, I couldn't begin to speculate upon...

Much will depend on the nature of the business. If there is a manufacturing operation where alcohol use might be dangerous, it is likely that a "one size fits all" no alcohol policy will be enforced.

 

It can also be influenced (like Andrew's story) by executives with a temperance mindset, or the "institutional memory" of an incident where alcohol use in the office caused a serious problem.

 

The Prohibition movement certainly was about alcohol. More importantly it was a social movement fueled by rural Americans, particularly women (who could not at that point vote) against immigration and urbanization motivated by fear of their world changing. Alcohol was put up as the proxy cause for changes that frightened them. Strong echos of this (unrelated to alcohol) can be seen in current US politics.

 

I have lived here for 34 years. For a long time I wondered about many aspects of the US mindset that differ from other English-speaking democracies things like - guns, religiosity, alcohol and immigration*.  My epiphany was the realization that these all stem from how colonization happened in the 17th century. "The Cousins' Wars : Religion, Politics and the Triumph of Anglo-America" by Kevin Phillips articulates this very cogently.

 

* More similarities there today between the US and the UK and Australia than there used to be. 

 

Edited April 9, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[Ozexpatriate]

10 minutes ago, AndyID said:

North London

East London, no? Within the sound of the Bow bells.

[brianusa]

11 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Can we take that for a no?

      Brian.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Nice to see Pete back again and keep coming back again.

36 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

In my last military appointment, I worked with civil servants, lots of them.

 

Some were brilliant* , some were ok, and some were downright terrible.

 

What was unnerving was seeing the terrible ones being moved on and sometimes being promoted into the bargain.

 

 

*  I still keep in touch with a few, and from my chat's and visits hear that little has changed.

 

 

 

9 minutes ago, pH said:

 

I don't know if it was general policy in the civil service, but in the organisation I worked in, if a person was promoted, they would be moved to another section. The policy was meant to avoid friction in their previous department, where they would then be supervising people who had previously been their peers  - quite sensible, in my opinion. However, you can see the obvious flaw. It was used as a means of getting rid of incompetents - give them a great annual report, recommend them for promotion, gone! I know of someone who was allegedly promoted through 4 civil service grades in this way.

 

Exactly the same in local government. Then they got (more capable) lower minions to do the work that they were paid for, and in many cases passed it off as their own. Though I do know of one of those lower minions who deliberately made a hash of some work shortly before he retired knowing that the person in charge wouldn't have a clue about what to do about it. Teas brewing, be back later.

[brianusa]

16 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

In practice alcohol use in a white collar work space is highly variable.

Mike, I came here thirty years before you and the three Martini lunch was the norm then.  I used to go with my boss to a local restaurant where everyone else had the same idea.  Not for me though - couldn't take that especially at midday with work to do in the PM.

     Brian.

[grandadbob]

Evenin' each from Much Clapping in The Land of Sutt.

Great and noisy turnout in the road tonight.  A few minutes after the end of the applause some of us were still chatting (at a sensible distance) when young Laura, our friend's daughter (who is a nurse) came home from her shift at the hospital, Cue tumultuous applause again. She was quite overcome.

Mary next door is home from hospital already so either the pneumonia wasn't very bad or I guess they needed the bed. Her daughter said she is OK though which is the main thing. 

Still no response from Management about me taking the next couple of days off, in fact she's been very attentive which means she's up to something.  Mustn't let my guard down.  (Looks quickly over shoulder as he types)

Time for a coffee I think.

 

[TheQ]

When I worked for GEC getting anything out of many of the management in the afternoon was impossible as they'd been been to a bar at lunch time most days.

Military  when I joined up in 76 you were expected to go to the pub with the section you worked with,  as part of being a "team player" by the time I left in 88 it was frowned on... 

My current company it's not allowed at work except  for a couple of occasions each year at the end of an early day.  It's accompanied by dire warnings about drink driving and doing stupid things. 

 

Talking of my current company an email has been sent out saying while extremely vulnerable to coronavirus must stay home those, just vulnerable may if they wish return to work, as they have set up social distancing..  I think that translates as we want you back but you're not suing us if you do and catch something .  

 

Since I am just vulnerable, ( diabetes)  but down right in trouble if I get it, (malignant  hyperpyrexia ) which may be brought on by stress and high temperatures . I've said no. 

My boss tried to contact  me about it by phone,  I suspect he was going to say the same, but didn't want an email trail..  As it is, with about 2 years to retirement, it's hardly going to hurt my career.. 

 

The evening session at the MhRC  was short,  because many bits were made deliberately,  rapidly soggy by paint or glue.  

After a Hoover up tomorrow of excess green plastic fibres,  then many hours of digging holes and putting up fence posts.. 

[TheQ]

9 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Nice to see Pete back again and keep coming back again.

 

Exactly the same in local government. Then they got (more capable) lower minions to do the work that they were paid for, and in many cases passed it off as their own. Though I do know of one of those lower minions who deliberately made a hash of some work shortly before he retired knowing that the person in charge wouldn't have a clue about what to do about it. Teas brewing, be back later.

SWMBO had the same problem in her last job, so she took to embedding her name into the computer files,  knowing her boss had no idea about computers.. 

[New Haven Neil]

19 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Nice to see Pete back again and keep coming back again.

 

Exactly the same in local government. Then they got (more capable) lower minions to do the work that they were paid for, and in many cases passed it off as their own. Though I do know of one of those lower minions who deliberately made a hash of some work shortly before he retired knowing that the person in charge wouldn't have a clue about what to do about it. Teas brewing, be back later.

 

Back when I was an NHS junior managerial minion, I project managed a modest, err, project, and at the end of such wrote a report about the process.  My manager put their name on the top in big bright lights, pushed mine down to the bottom of the page somewhere and sent it out to the great and good.  All well and good for her for a little while as the project was a success, until in a meeting in my next job a very senior manager (actually the Director of Nursing) who knew me well from previous roles asked how much of the report I had actually written, as she recognised my writing style.  The cat as they say, was out of the bag, which opened an investigation into the naughty person's other work, which resulted in some very embarrassing revelations for them, and an almost job ending situation.  Laugh?  Oh yes, full karma moment. Did me no harm at all in the long run as it was widely known around the Trust what had happened.

[Ozexpatriate]

31 minutes ago, brianusa said:

Mike, I came here thirty years before you and the three Martini lunch was the norm then.  I used to go with my boss to a local restaurant where everyone else had the same idea.  Not for me though - couldn't take that especially at midday with work to do in the PM.

Yes, the three Martini lunch is only found on "Mad Men" these days. 

 

Colleagues of mine in a North Carolina office had a watering hole they went to for Friday lunch for beers. It was their version of POETS. Not much work got done when they came back. One of them was a tequila fan (Patron) and would occasionally break some out.

[Erichill16]

Evening,

As expected busy day at work due to Easter Bank Holiday, for what it’s worth. 

Hand disinfectant arrived and better than what I thought but I think plenty of moisturising cream needed but mustn’t grumble. Ordered face mastks as should be delivered on Tuesday, but £50?

In the meantime I’ve been wearing a home made one created by a friends wife using vacuum cleaner filters. That’s the NHS In the 21st century. 

We were having a discussion a few pages back about ‘Hoovering up’, Sellotape’ etc and there’s one a bit closer to home. Most people call all  slot cars ‘ Scalextric’. At myself car club we advertise as a Scalextric club even though it’s not even the same scale and Scalextric cars aren’t compatible with our track. I enquired why and was told if we said we were a slot car club people wouldn’t understand.

Anyway enjoy the weekend everyone, I’m hoping to.

Regars Robert

[trisonic]

3 hours ago, Ian Abel said:

Good to see you check in Pete, sorry to hear about your loss though

Stay safe.

If you were here, Ian, it would seem like a dream, really. Empty streets. As anyone knows who's ever been, New York City is never quiet. Hope your family is well,

Jeez what about the airline business???

 

Best, Pete.

[Ozexpatriate]

2 minutes ago, trisonic said:

As anyone knows who's ever been, New York City is never quiet.

One of the late night comics said that "the city that never sleeps now lies awake all night in existential dread".

 

It's nice to have you drop by Pete.

[Ian Abel]

5 minutes ago, trisonic said:

If you were here, Ian, it would seem like a dream, really. Empty streets. As anyone knows who's ever been, New York City is never quiet. Hope your family is well,

Jeez what about the airline business???

 

Best, Pete.

I can only imagine, though we're in a stay-at-home here too, and it's desperately quiet out even when we have to take a trip to the pharmacy or support one of the local take-out/kerb-side pickup restaurants.

Far as airline goes, Jemma is still flying (both good and bad aspects) and as she's based in NY she has spent the last 5 days in her crash-pad in Kew Gardens as she's on standby/reserve this week.

Last trip the flights were mostly empty, her last segment from Atlanta-JFK over a week ago had 20+ people, ALL of whom were re-positioning crew

Other than that family all well thanks.

Edited April 9, 2020 by Ian Abel

[trisonic]

2 hours ago, Andrew P said:

Good to see you back Pete.

 

I'm moving back to Hampshire / England soon and the old Band will be getting back together, My Wife has bought me a nice Benson Jazz Bass for my 70th in a couple of weeks time and today I've ordered a Daphne ( Wife's real name) Blue Squire Jazz with Alnico Pick ups.

 

At least you have your music to keep you sane in these troubled times.

Stay safe and thanks again for checking in.

 

Ooh, Nice! I bought a Squier PJ Bass (to keep my hand in) in 3 colour 'Burst. I have a Daphne Blue Strat. I think it is the rarest of colours. Harley Benson stuff looks really good. You get it direct from Thomann in Germany?

 

Cheers, Pete.

[Andrew P]

18 minutes ago, trisonic said:

Ooh, Nice! I bought a Squier PJ Bass (to keep my hand in) in 3 colour 'Burst. I have a Daphne Blue Strat. I think it is the rarest of colours. Harley Benson stuff looks really good. You get it direct from Thomann in Germany?

 

Cheers, Pete.

Hi Pete, the Benson came from E-Bay from a supplier here in the UK, the set up and action is superb, with some awesome Queen and Quo sounds.

 

I had a Daffers Blue Strat copy a few years ago with some really cool pick ups, I was told the neck was a Tex Mex, but never really sure, but a good deep Bluesy Sound.

 

 

Edited April 9, 2020 by Andrew P

[Coombe Barton]

Moved away from the desk

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2020/04/09/sunshine-and-more-birdsong/

[Andrew P]

On 09/04/2020 at 21:34, trisonic said:

Ooh, Nice! I bought a Squier PJ Bass (to keep my hand in) in 3 colour 'Burst. I have a Daphne Blue Strat. I think it is the rarest of colours. Harley Benson stuff looks really good. You get it direct from Thomann in Germany?

 

Cheers, Pete.

Ignore Pete, I've bought one.

Honest opinion please Pete, how do you rate the PJ, as that was my first choice in Race Red, although I would have changed the scratch plate from black to white.

Edited April 11, 2020 by Andrew P

[tigerburnie]

G'night all

[polybear]

17 hours ago, AndyID said:

Our car insurer and several other insurance companies in the US have announced that they will be giving us a refund because of the greatly reduced number of road accidents. Are the UK insurers doing that too?

 

 

Dream on.  My insurance company would probably use it as an excuse not to pay out, as I said I do 10K miles a year and I clearly don't.....

 

11 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

Oops nearly forgot >>

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/giant-pandas-finally-mate-after-21834732#source=push

What did they think would happen? Few would want to do it with the world and his wife looking on.

 

Oh, I dunno.  Simon Cowell was once offered $150K by a couple to come to their home and critique them while they had sex.....

 

6 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Oddly I seem to get that every year with my car insurer.  

1. The quote for auto-renewal l arrives in the post, I let if t fester for a while

2.  With only a few days to ge before renewal I call the insurer and imply that I have been checking prices elsewhere and their price is looking like a bad deal,

3. The  person on the 'phone is obviously keen for the company not to lose business so goes through all sorts of ideas about how to shave the cost which have a couple of times included 'well as you're a regular customer I think I can do something more for you'.

4.  Net result is that this current year's car insurance is about £50 + cheaper than last year's insurance which was in any case cheaper than the cover for the year before that.  Similarly - apart from being billed twice - this year's travel insurance was £100+  cheaper than last year's travel insurance (before I cancelled the policy, and got two refunds).

 

The following is worth a read:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2019/12/car-insurance-optimum-time-to-buy/

 

1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said:

The slightly dodgy builder around the corner got caught doing just that by an HMRC inspection team.

 

It cost him £1000.

 

And HMRC are very good at it too.  They don't dip your tank, they break into the fuel line and take a sample from there.  So forget any ideas about clever fuel tanks with dummy sections containing a small amount of "proper" fuel....

[tetsudofan]

2 hours ago, BoD said:

Looking at the supermarket queues today I would guess that panic buying has been replaced by ‘Oh sh!t, the shops are closed for a whole day on Sunday” buying.

 

Idiots.

 

 

 That's exactly why I did my weekly shop yesterday instead of today!

[polybear]

Well, a fun day painting the shed (actually two sides of it - the other two sides are against fences).  It's a large pre-cast concrete jobbie, and was painted many years ago (maybe 20?) - the improvement in appearance over bare concrete being well worth the effort.  Seven hours later and the first of two coats is complete; I was hoping one coat might do the job, but a colour change (not huge) means a second coat would be worth it - still a PITA though.  Besides, I already had the paint left over from painting the outside of the house.

 

A mate from work called - he's at home too, also waiting for the Great Empire to kit him out with a Desktop for home working (How? - he's a Storeman/Disposals Officer FFS).  Sadly it seems that the provision of desktops is now on-hold, due to certain issues within the company.

 

I'm devastated - no, really.  I was really looking forward to getting my desktop so I could resume work for my last 7.5 days before retirement.

Do I sound suitably convincing?

 

A chemist run is scheduled for Saturday morning, which may involve queuing from half nine for a 10am opening.  Apparently the queue outside today was a hundred yards long......

[Ozexpatriate]

Today's weather is scintillating. Les dents des lions are laughing at me. I don't feel like weeding today. (All the bending triggers my reflux and makes me feel ill.) Nevertheless I should gird up some motivation and at least do a little bit while the sun shines. Like yesterday, we should see temperatures close to 24°C. 

 

At last I have opened the windows to get some fresh air inside after being closed up for months. There is a downside. A couple of days ago when I did a first round of weeding, I noticed many pools of pollen in the driveway. This much pollen can only be from the Douglas firs, which produce a prodigious amount. My eyes were itchy and my nose has been running for a couple of days. These days any respiratory symptoms cause irrational anxiety even when not connected to the dreadful lurgy.

 

The previous couple of weeks were rainy and cool (>10°C cooler). I found myself with the TV babbling away as background noise and getting busy by digging into my stash of complex LEGO kits. I'm happy to share the results if any are interested. The Harley Davidson kit was brilliantly executed. with bricks at all kinds of unusual angles. It actually features working pistons, even though they are quite invisible in the finished model.

 

I do have a question for London bus experts. Leaving aside the punny destinations (this is the number 9 to "Brickston", stopping at Brickadilly Circus, etc) there are two sets of alternative license plates - one in black and a front plate in white with a back plate in yellow.

 

Can anyone help me with the significance/relevance of these plates?