Early Risers.

[The White Rabbit]

Afternoon all,

 

Another weekend in the fast lane... Miscellaneous pottering done inside and out, according to the seaweed twirlers, it's supposed to be raining right now but a glance out of the windows suggests it isn't. So a bit of the G word activity was done earlier. Various bits of transplanting done, it's disconcerting the way tall plants grow at the front of the borders and shorter ones further back, despite where you dropped the seeds/planted the seedlings. Hmmm, mutter... anyway, some perennials shifted. The annuals can see their time out unless they are in the way of this autumn's seed sowing. 

 

A disconcerting few moments yesterday, saw a near miss on a level crossing - I did try and warn them but got ignored (silly s*ds). It's the drivers (and any PWay/incident investigation crew) I feel sorry for.  

 

A few emails worked through and some messages sent/received. There are a few things going on at the moment which I'm 'exploring'. Apologies for sounding a bit coy but I'm reluctant to say too much publicly in case it either tempts Fate or the wrong person hears about it. As CC might advise, with more than a little asperity, don't discuss your plans for world domination in the local boozer. Not that is my intention ... honest ...? 

 

I'm currently killing time until the recording of the Grand Prix finishes then I can play it and watch some people going round in circles ... very quickly. Suzuka, so one of the better tracks. I thought I was a quick reader myself but I'm not sure about catching up with ERs in 10-15 minutes a day. Not without serious skipping (or serious  ... err, time spent in the bathroom...). 

 

I've noticed RMW's IT performance has been variable recently, not enough to mither Andy about but sometimes pages have been very slow to load, including when you click 'next'. And there have been a few posts which haven't wanted to record my 'rate it's. It seems to come and go a bit, so far today there haven't been any issues. 

 

One thing I was surprised at earlier, we have an ear of barley growing in the garden. In amongst the cornflowers, so presumably an errant seed. I wonder just how small a loaf one ear would make?

 

Ah well, time for a trip to the bathroom and a couple of turns round the garden, then we'll see who came second and third and by how much... 

 

Edited September 24, 2023 by The White Rabbit
.

[New Haven Neil]

Hmm, F1 not that much of a surprise really.

 

RMW page uploads sometimes taking minutes not seconds, but it is random. Not our interwebs as I can upload other things on another tab while I'm waiting!

 

Horizontal rain here now, reet windy obviously.  Ferries are off, UK cut off.

[tigerburnie]

Had a wander round the fields and found the knee a bit sore, I had keyhole surgery on it some 12 years ago and they said there's little Cartlidge left then, seems there's now a new procedure where they replace the Cartlidge rather than the whole knee if suitable, I might try and see if that is available up here yet.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Fell asleep in my chair just after lunch, only for twenty minutes but it set all the joints aching. I put a bit of rubble in the holes dug by the foxes to stop them digging them again. Now to sit down and watch Poirot.

[Gwiwer]

Greetings from the Hill of Strawberries Boxes on our last full day here. 
 

At 08.00 we expect a large van to arrive and start the relocation process in earnest. 
 

After my “out with a bang” retirement on Friday Dr SWMBO is determined to not be beaten and is currently with the tooth wrangler. She has been in increasing and sometimes severe pain since Thursday and found an emergency service on Friday evening. She has split a molar to the root. Whether it can be repaired or has to go is being determined as we speak. 
 

The emergency need and the nature of the problem will dent our contingency fund to the tune of at least half a dozen Deltics but needs must. 
 

Meanwhile I am sipping a coffee and nibbling a pain au raisin awaiting the call to collect her. Esquires in Twickenham has been one of those hidden gems with lovely soft armchairs, good food and drink and usually the right sort of ambience for a relaxed chat or a private browse of books, papers or intertubes. 
 

I may be absent for a few days whilst we relocate and get the air to vibrate correctly at the Distant (Signal) West. Where our guest diary is already filling nicely!  
 

Take care. Be good. Farewell to the House of Fun and from the Hill of Strawberries 

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, The White Rabbit said:

Afternoon all,

One thing I was surprised at earlier, we have an ear of barley growing in the garden. In amongst the cornflowers, so presumably an errant seed. I wonder just how small a loaf one ear would make?

A couple of years ago I found an ear of wheat growing in my garden. How it got there I do not know, as far as I am aware there are no wheatfields nearby. I can only assume a grain of wheat must have been dropped by a bird.

[Gwiwer]

And finally ….. 

 

[DaveF]

Quite a peaceful and productive day today.  I was going to have a meeting about a church website after the service but one person couldn't come so it will now be next week which will be better as I need some more information about what is actually wanted before I or anyone else does anything.  So I came home and had a relaxed coffee before cooking a rather large lunch, then I needed to sit down for a while to allow digestion to take place.

 

Next it was time to order a few bits and pieces from Amazon after which I watered the greenhouse plants and moved a few bits and pieces off the shelves which are to be rebuilt in the garage.  That was followed by a cup of tea and a slice of lemon cake (not drizzle though), once that was finished I had a quick walk.  I've reset the phone steps app back to the original sensitivity as it was counting fewer steps than I was counting.  I think the truth lies between the two settings.

 

Next will be the same tea as yesterday - crumpets with some gooseberry and elderflower jam followed by fruit and perhaps a yoghurt.  The rest of the day will be book and TV.  The book is one of the Strike novels, it seems to be never ending - I don't think I'd have bought it but you can't look gift  horses books in the mouth.

 

David

[PupCam]

Afternoon All!

 

An early (for me ) chug to the Dunstable Gliding Club with some chums this morning on the AJ.   Solid food stuffs and liquid refreshments may have been consumed.   Afterwards said chums headed for "Sand and Motorcycles" an annual gathering of I bet you can't guess at the end of the once "Sand Railway" at Pages Park in Leighton Buzzard.  As the sky was very, very dark and I don't like getting wet and I have an even greater dislike of riding in the wet I decided to go straight home.   

 

En-route and a couple of miles from Puppers Towers I came across a chap whose rather nice Tele/Rigid Ariel 500 single had ceased to function.   I could tell this by the fact that he was kneeling beside it with a load of tools on the ground which is always a give away!   I stopped to lend a hand.   My most significant contribution was the provision of a plug spanner which revealed a suitably lively spark so that wasn't the problem.    

 

After a bit of fiddling with the carburettor "it sort of went", the culprit thought to be the "fresh" and full tank of fuel he had loaded just a few miles earlier as it had been running perfectly fine before.  He attempted to set off for home and just as we were leaving it stopped again.  He thanked me for my assistance but suggested I should set go as he might be some time ...   So I went.   On arrival I put the bike away, grabbed afresh can of petrol (originally destined for the lawn mower) and a large, empty Jerry Can  and returned to the spot in Monty the Mondog.    Thoughts being  to empty the potentially dodgy "new" fuel from his tank and replace it with other new fuel.    However, on my return he'd gone so I presume he managed to get it going after all!

 

Back at home some unspecified pottering has been undertaken which has resulted in the RD's brake calliper receiving a second coat of paint and a little more progress on the 08 hand controller software.

 

Good luck for the relocation to Distant Signal (West) tomorrow @Gwiwer and fingers crossed SWMBO's molar doesn't interfere with proceedings or indeed hurt too much!

 

@polybear have you been checking your Emails or have I also been consigned to the SPAM bin?

 

TTFN

[tigerburnie]

2 minutes ago, PupCam said:

Afternoon All!

 

An early (for me ) chug to the Dunstable Gliding Club with some chums this morning on the AJ.   Solid food stuffs and liquid refreshments may have been consumed.   Afterwards said chums headed for "Sand and Motorcycles" an annual gathering of I bet you can't guess at the end of the once "Sand Railway" at Pages Park in Leighton Buzzard.  As the sky was very, very dark and I don't like getting wet and I have an even greater dislike of riding in the wet I decided to go straight home.   

 

En-route and a couple of miles from Puppers Towers I came across a chap whose rather nice Tele/Rigid Ariel 500 single had ceased to function.   I could tell this by the fact that he was kneeling beside it with a load of tools on the ground which is always a give away!   I stopped to lend a hand.   My most significant contribution was the provision of a plug spanner which revealed a suitably lively spark so that wasn't the problem.    

 

After a bit of fiddling with the carburettor "it sort of went", the culprit thought to be the "fresh" and full tank of fuel he had loaded just a few miles earlier as it had been running perfectly fine before.  He attempted to set off for home and just as we were leaving it stopped again.  He thanked me for my assistance but suggested I should set go as he might be some time ...   So I went.   On arrival I put the bike away, grabbed afresh can of petrol (originally destined for the lawn mower) and a large, empty Jerry Can  and returned to the spot in Monty the Mondog.    Thoughts being  to empty the potentially dodgy "new" fuel from his tank and replace it with other new fuel.    However, on my return he'd gone so I presume he managed to get it going after all!

 

Back at home some unspecified pottering has been undertaken which has resulted in the RD's brake calliper receiving a second coat of paint and a little more progress on the 08 hand controller software.

 

Good luck for the relocation to Distant Signal (West) tomorrow @Gwiwer and fingers crossed SWMBO's molar doesn't interfere with proceedings or indeed hurt too much!

 

@polybear have you been checking your Emails or have I also been consigned to the SPAM bin?

 

TTFN

Nice to see the old biker code still in action, well done sir

[The Lurker]

10 hours ago, grandadbob said:

It seems our local council will only collect dead animals from the highway or Counci owned land and not private property.

 

https://www.sutton.gov.uk/w/roadkill-dead-animals?p_l_back_url=%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Ddead%2Bfox%2Bin%2Bgarden

 

Now I wonder how people would get round that one?  🤔

I think our council will collect if you put the dead animal on the edge of your property and let them know. Bromley certainly do

[Barry O]

7 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

It doesn’t specifically use that term, but a quick perusal of the site throws up this sentence (in the description of IDDM (Type 1 Diabetes is the older term..) “Family history can increase your risk, as there are a number of genes linked to type 1 diabetes” see: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-1/causes. Sounds like genetics to me!

Poppycock! The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health and Social Care in England. NICE invites consultee and commentator organisations to take part in the appraisal. Although consultee organisation include patient groups, organisations representing health care professionals and the manufacturers of the product undergoing appraisal, that’s because the people that know the drug best are the people who developed it. Fees are paid for technology appraisals - which is no guarantee of approval. Many state-of-the-art treatments available in Europe and elsewhere have not been approved by NICE, so NHS patients can’t get those treatment. NICE has been criticised by patient groups and medical professional bodies for being both slow to appraise therapies (of all kinds) and focus more on the cost part than the benefit part of the cost/benefit ratio.

Why should NICE have anything to say about Metformin? It was approved for use long before NICE was even thought of.

 

Metformin is a very old drug - it was first identified in 1922 and has been used n patients since 1957. Metformin is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines

 

It is generally well tolerated, but is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment, known hypersensitivity to the drug and acute or chronic metabolic acidosis. Although it is well tolerated, with GI problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) being the most frequently noted adeverse events;  in rare cases - as the US NIH notes “Less commonly, some patients may experience chest discomfort, headache, diaphoresis, hypoglycemia, weakness, and rhinitis while taking metformin. Prolonged use of metformin has been associated with decreased vitamin B12 levels; therefore, healthcare professionals should carefully monitor patients, especially those with anemia or peripheral neuropathy” (see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518983/). These adverse events are well known to Clinicians prescribing metformin. But, as always, prescribing medication (from the commonly used aspirin to state of the art cutting edge technology, anti-cancer drugs) is always a risk/benefit situation. And in most NIDDM patients, the risk of using Metformin is outweighed by the risk of not using Metformin.

 

With metformin being the first-line drug of choice, recommended by diverse organisation such as the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, do with a such a large number of patients being treated with the drug, it is inevitable serious adverse events will be seen quite frequently.

 

There are newer drugs, such as the gliflozines, that can offer a better risk/benefit ratio than Metformin in certain patients, but they cost more than Metformin. (we all know that the NHS likes cheap).

I have Type 2.. it is linked to genetics not just weight but Diabetes UK do push "Your are Type 2 Diabetic because your are very over weight".. and yes the Diabetic Team in the LUHT and the Marie Celeste are a bit p1ssed off by it.  The bits of Research I was involved in did raise questions about Metformin and what damage it does to kidneys, Muscles (particularly the heart). Questions on how long it is effective are also being asked .. but NICE aren't doing much to check it out (the BHF are..) It also seems to lose effectiveness with use....

 

As far as NICE goes look who they all work for or have worked for.. nuff said. 

 

In recent years whenever anyone has questioned its use the answer is... ITS CHEAP.. 

 

I have been involved in trials with various alternatives -- they are fine but MORE EXPENSIVE.. no doubt when the bean counters have to take them they may change their tunes.

 

I wonder if the money that the drugs industry provide to various medical people/institutions  is ever declared clearly.. and yes I do know a drugs rep who has explained how much they cough out...

 

Baz

 

 

[Coombe Barton]

... for music today, something by that most prolific of composers …

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2023/09/24/no-new-data-information-from-the-bbc/

[The Lurker]

Good luck to Rick with the move…

[The White Rabbit]

And speaking of movements, one email I came across recently in my reviews...: 

 

For those of you who have lived in Natal , you know how typical this is. They actually have a Curry cook-off about June/July. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the Royal Show in PMB. Judge #3 was an inexperienced food critic named Frank, who was visiting from America. 

Frank: "Recently, I was honoured to be selected as a judge at a Curry Cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the beer garden when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Natal Indians) that the curry wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted". Here are the scorecard notes from the event: 

CURRY # 1 - SEELAN'S MANIAC MONSTER TOMATO CURRY.... 

Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick. 
Judge # 2 -- Nice smooth tomato flavour. Very mild. 
Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy , what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These people are crazy. 

CURRY #2 - PHOENIX BBQ CHICKEN CURRY... 

Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of chicken. Slight chilli tang. 
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavour, needs more peppers to be taken seriously. 
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who Wanted to give me the Heimlich manoeuvre! They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face. 

CURRY # 3 - SHAMILA'S FAMOUS "BURN DOWN THE GARAGE" CURRY...

Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse curry. Great kick. 
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of chilli peppers. 
Judge # 3 -- Call 911. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drain Cleaner. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting pissed from all the beer. 

CHILLI # 4 - BABOO'S BLACK MAGIC BEAN CURRY... 

Judge # 1 -- Black bean curry with almost no spice. Disappointing. 
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a curry. 
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Shareen, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 200kg woman is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chilli an aphrodisiac? 

CHILLI # 5 LALL'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER... 

Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong curry. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive. 
Judge # 2 -- Average beef curry, could use more tomato. Must admit the chilli peppers make a strong statement. 
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chilli had given me brain damage. Shareen saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them. 

CHILLI # 6 - VERISHNEE'S VEGETARIAN VARIETY... 

Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety curry. Good balance of spices and peppers. 
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb. 
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I am definitely going to myself if I fart and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Shareen. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my arse with a snow cone ice-cream. 

CHILLI # 7 - SELINA'S "MOTHER-IN-LAW'S-TONGUE" CURRY... 

Judge # 1 -- A mediocre curry with too much reliance on canned peppers. 
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chilli peppers at the last moment. (I should take note at this stage that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably). 
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with curry which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least, during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing - it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach. 

CHILLI # 8 - NAIDOO'S TOENAIL CURLING CURRY... 

Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending. This is a nice blend curry. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. 
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced curry. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the curry pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor man, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot curry? 
Judge # 3 - No Report.

 

Edited September 24, 2023 by The White Rabbit
Lost a bit of the OP.

[iL Dottore]

1 hour ago, Barry O said:

I wonder if the money that the drugs industry provide to various medical people/institutions  is ever declared clearly.. and yes I do know a drugs rep who has explained how much they cough out...

 

Fully and transparently (both the FDA and the EMEA are very strict about such things). Or would you prefer that everyone gave their time, skills and facilities for free?
 

Drug Reps? About as far away from the real decisions and decision makers in the Pharma Industry as an individual can be and still be in the same company.

 

The pharma industry has many faults (especially American ones) but without those “Big Bad Drug Companies”, people would be dying from conditions that - thanks to those rapacious and evil pharma companies - are now manageable and in some cases curable.

[Ozexpatriate]

12 hours ago, polybear said:

Is what's going on in the world now any better?

In some things yes, in others no. In general, things have not improved since the appearance of the pandemic in late 2019.

 

Though even then there were plenty of "trouble" spots. Eastern Ukraine, Crimea, Syria, Afghanistan, etc, etc, none of which have improved since then and some are of course are much worse.

[Ozexpatriate]

10 hours ago, Joseph_Pestell said:

All those dead badgers that you see on the roads have not been run over.

Never seen one of those. 😉

 

Plenty of squirrels here. Armadillos in Texas. Cane toads in Queensland.

[Hroth]

8 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Never seen one of those. 😉

 

Plenty of squirrels here. Armadillos in Texas. Cane toads in Queensland.

 

Isn't it a public duty to run over cane toads?

 

 

[Ozexpatriate]

1 minute ago, Hroth said:

Isn't it a public duty to run over cane toads?

😃 Yes it is. And they make a satisfying "pop" when you are successful. When plentiful, drivers attempt the cane toad slalom, the objective being to squash as many as possible - "pop", "pop", "pop", "pop", etc - you get the idea.

[PhilJ W]

Good wishes on your move to Distant Signal West @Gwiwer.

[New Haven Neil]

A lot of the T2 DM research I have read is of the opinion that we're overweight because we're diabetic, not the other way around - those carbs we can't process properly.  Plus the 'don't blame fat for what sugar did' movement has a lot of.....weight followers now in the dietary world.  Not all fat is bad, but that's another discussion completely.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Not done much this evening except to eat dinner, Liver and bacon with mash. As soon as I've read the threads that interest me here I'm going to run a bath.

Edited September 24, 2023 by PhilJ W

[Hroth]

42 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Not done much this evening except to eat dinner, Liver and bacon with mash. As soon as I've read the threads that interest me here I'm going to run a bath.

 

Tell us if you catch it!  🤪

 

 

[polybear]

3 hours ago, Barry O said:

The bits of Research I was involved in did raise questions about Metformin and what damage it does to kidneys, Muscles (particularly the heart). Questions on how long it is effective are also being asked .. but NICE aren't doing much to check it out (the BHF are..) It also seems to lose effectiveness with use....

In recent years whenever anyone has questioned its use the answer is... ITS CHEAP.. 

 

 

ISTR mention of people being moved to different brands of Metformin in order to save money, only for side-effects to kick in.

 

2 hours ago, The White Rabbit said:

Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I am definitely going to myself if I fart and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Shareen. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my arse with a snow cone ice-cream. 

 

🤣