Early Risers.

[Hroth]

44 minutes ago, TheQ said:

It will of course need charging, so later I'll go plug it in. Only comes with a USB cable, good job there's a charger. upstairs.

 

Of the 4 items identical ordered yesterday, one has missed the boat and won't be delivered till tomorrow, that doesn't matter they're not needed till Sunday.

Just realized I'm building up a collection of items that need USB charging, often at the same time, so along with the missing bit for BM a 6 port charging station will arrive tomorrow.

 

Hopefully your new 6 port charger will be capable of all the current, errrr, current outputs.

 

USB started off at 500ma, then went on to 1 then 2 amps.   Nowadays there is also a "Fast Charge" level at 3 amps, which is often demanded by appliances with USB C inputs.  I've a Samsung tablet that requires fast charge.  If if gets it, it says "ready in 1hr 50min". Anything lower and its the equivalent of "Come back tomorrow"...

 

[woodenhead]

So Boston Dynamics have retired the 'old' Atlas

 

and now we have a new Atlas

 

anyone think he looks a little like him

[TheQ]

46 minutes ago, Hroth said:

 

Hopefully your new 6 port charger will be capable of all the current, errrr, current outputs.

 

USB started off at 500ma, then went on to 1 then 2 amps.   Nowadays there is also a "Fast Charge" level at 3 amps, which is often demanded by appliances with USB C inputs.  I've a Samsung tablet that requires fast charge.  If if gets it, it says "ready in 1hr 50min". Anything lower and its the equivalent of "Come back tomorrow"...

 

It is a " smart" charger.. capable of 3 A, .. the advert specifically mentions fast charging Samsung and Apple devices.

[The White Rabbit]

12 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

And totally ineffective against masonry.

 

Sorry for the late reply - the last eight or so hours have been a bit hectic. Other words are available...

 

I wonder about that - I accept I have no personal experience but from my knowledge of the system, some of them came with solid heads as well as shells and incendiary heads. If the former were fitted, then I think 24 or 32 pound heads together with whatever weight the stick was would put a dent in most walls. Or ships. Conventional black powder smoothbore muzzle loading artillery had 24 and 32 pound pieces - but I'm not knowledgeable to know or even take a guess as to the comparable kinetic forces imparted to a target. And I know Baz may be our resident rocket scientist but I won't insult him by suggesting he had personal experience of this type! 

 

[DaveF]

As you may have realised I went to a funeral this morning, one of the readers at church who died quite suddenly about three weeks ago of a stomach cancer she didn't know about.  I set off in plenty of time and found nowhere to park near church so used one of the town car parks nearby.  The church was very full with extra chairs behind the pews and a choir of about 35 as the local choral group she went to were also there.  2 vicars took the service which lasted about an hour, there were at least another 5 in the congregation.  

 

Afterwards the family and close friends went to the crematorium in town, the rest of us migrated to the church hall for snacks.  Snacks turned out to be pasties, sausage rolls, pork pies, lots of sandwiches, scones, other savoury things and cream cakes along with unlimited tea and coffee.  I left after about an hour and decided to visit Betty who is 100 and lives next to the flat Mum had.  We had an enjoyable chat and I got home about 1.30.  As I left there was a sudden short lived downpour from a very black cloud.

 

I didn't need any lunch!  I shall cook a piece of salmon for tea shortly.

 

The afternoon has been spent quietly catching up on things.  My garage rang to say they will refinish the alloy wheel on my car next month so I have got a date and booked a courtesy car for the day, having assured them that I can drive a manual car.

 

David

Edited April 17 by DaveF

[Ozexpatriate]

6 minutes ago, The White Rabbit said:

some of them came with solid heads as well as shells and incendiary heads. If the former were fitted, then I think 24 or 32 pound heads together with whatever weight the stick was would put a dent in most walls

It's an interesting question the actual "payload" on these things is not obvious from the cursory stuff on Wikipedia.

 

Quote

Rocket sizes were designated by the calibre of the tube, using the then-standard British method of using weight in pounds as a measure of cannon bore. Larger diameter rockets also had correspondingly longer tubes.

And

Quote

It was the use of ship-launched Congreve rockets by the British in the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the US in 1814 that inspired a phrase in the fifth line of the first verse of the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner": "the rockets’ red glare". HMS Erebus fired the rockets from a 32-pound rocket battery installed below the main deck, which fired through portholes or scuttles pierced in the ship's side.

The impression I have formed here is that the 32 pounder rocket was of a diameter congruent with a cannon firing 32 pound roundshot (which has a diameter of 6.1") and a cannon with a 6.41" bore.

 

It does not suggest that the rocket had a 32 pound 'payload'.

 

Empirically, neither the Congreve rockets nor the mortar shells had much of an impact to Fort McHenry, which was 'up to date' for the time - a star fort with masonry walls and earthen fill - contemporary image here. The NPS has an artist's 'impression' here.

 

Rockets and mortars were chosen - knowing that conventional ship-fired shot would not be effective against this fort. (There was at one point a short engagement of cannon fire by ships, which withdrew.)

 

Ultimately, nor were the rockets and mortar - the trajectory of which (I presume) was quite high.  There were close moments (from the NPS website):

Quote

One bomb achieved a direct hit on the fort’s powder magazine. The bomb glanced off the arch shaped roof, leaving a hole and caving in a portion of the ceiling of the powder room, which contained close to 200 barrels of powder. Had the bomb gone into the magazine it would have destroyed the fort with a catastrophic explosion. 

 

The bombardment took place over a period of about 27 hours and used 1,500 projectiles all to little effect. There were casualties, some from bombs, but some deaths of defenders were caused by double-shotted cannon replying to the British fleet flipping over.

 

The narrative (on two pages) of the National Park Service website is better than most online sources I found.

 

[polybear]

7 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

And of course the other question is - where do you see yourself in five years time?

 

"Hopefully healthy, happy and enjoying my job"

 

The rest is secondary.

 

 

 

 

[polybear]

3 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

Had a parcel arrive this morning, not sure if the postie knocked as I was upstairs at the back of the house, but if they did I didn't hear it. When I came down there was a card saying it was in the black wheelie bin, just as well it's not BIN day today. 

 

Bear's Postie told me a few months back that they're not allowed to do such tactics anymore.

[The White Rabbit]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

It's an interesting question the actual "payload" on these things is not obvious from the cursory stuff on Wikipedia.

 

...

 

The narrative (on two pages) of the National Park Service website is better than most online sources I found.

 

 

https://www.jstor.org/stable/44230626 may be worth a look - the preview page refers to some reputable authors. I've a few things to do this evening but will create an account and have a look later. 

 

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1968/march/congreve-war-rockets-1800-1825 also looks promising. There are some stats quoted. From a skim-read, the impression I get is the lack of damage to Fort McHenry was more due to strong construction than a weakness in the artillery used against it. Though given the author's background, I could suggest 'he would say/suggest that, wouldn't he'? 

 

I've not found a title about the system, though I've seen several about conventional [tube] artillery of the period. Could be an interesting book if someone writes one. 

[polybear]

Bear here.....

 

Another day an the Hospice - all good fun.  On the way there a Certain Bear needed to go into the nearby Morrisons for various stuff that I'm sure even @iL Dottore would may possibly approve of (ok, so they weren't organic).  And what happens just as soon as I walked thru' the Supermarket doors?  I was accosted by two packs of still-warm strawberry jam donuts.  Oops.  It's quite possible that Bear & others may have scoffed some for elevenses....

 

Only for this to happen at din dins time......

 

 

- The Warehouse Manageress was very apologetic to A Certain Bear cos' she realised that they'd missed my Birthday a little while ago - the sight of a Triple Layer Choccy Cake with Choccy Buttercream (and Candles) was more than a surprise**;  I didn't blub but it's possible my bottom lip may have quivered a little......I can't remember when the last time was that I had a cake with candles....

 

**Bear was at The Great Empire for 39 years - and how many times did something similar happen there?  Not fuggin' once 😢 - in fact your were expected to take the cakes in for the Department.....of 60 or 70+ people (some of which were total Tw@ts).

 

Did I mention just how nice all the people working at the Hospice are?

Oh yes, and the Manageress did insist that Bear took a large wedge home with me too (enough for tomorrow's Tea as well - the first half is sitting next to me as I type but there's a fair chance it may not be safe for much longer....).

 

Bear gone.....

 

 

 

 

Edited April 17 by polybear

[Tony_S]

4 minutes ago, polybear said:

can't remember when the last time was that I had a cake with candles....

 

What a lovely surprise. 

[Ian Abel]

Arrghhh... returning after a long delay!

 

Vacation in Phoenix cut short as the Mrs ended up with severe sciatica and back pain, reducing her to wheelchair mobility!

Spent a lot of time at various A&E and Dr/Chiropractor/physical therapy offices with me as the designated (REQUIRED) driver.

Finally on a path to recovery, but disappointed she/we missed out on our Grand Canyon adventure.

 

Work also demanding, some I've been hanging on by a thread, tired and needing frequent breaks.

 

Anyway, back now, under control as best we ever can be.

 

Weather variable here chucked it down yesterday, clearing today, 7c first thing, partly cloudy, headed for 11c for the high.

 

Onward.

[PhilJ W]

3 hours ago, Tony_S said:

The endoscopy unit used to be on level C in between the fracture clinic and outpatients. Finding a parking place at Basildon  usually takes longer than my appointments (not endoscopy, for those I go to the Royal London in Whitechapel). 

I'm considering going by taxi, I used to walk as the hospital is only half a mile away but now it would take me over an hour to walk that.

[PhilJ W]

Went to Tess Coes this afternoon. Nothing much in the reduced counter there was a sandwich but one look at the red traffic light showing 39% salt so I put it back. I did get my bread only it was two small loaves instead of a large one so ones in the freezer.

[Barry O]

Late this morning. Late tonight.. LNER at its best.. ie carp...

 

Azuma back is causing a lot of discomfort as is a fellow passenger who can't be bothered to blow his nose..

@polybear  never ever had a cake with candles on! Had to take pies ans peas in in Barrow on pay days and birthdays.

 

Long day and we didn't achieve enough to say its bèn a good one.

 

Sleep well all!

 

Baz

[figworthy]

2 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Bear's Postie told me a few months back that they're not allowed to do such tactics anymore.

 

Last year, our usual postie asked me to take in a parcel for next door.  The resident genius had left a note on the door asking for parcels to be left in the recycling box.  When he came around to collect it, I asked him why he thought it was a good idea.  "I couldn't think of anywhere else" was the answer.

 

Adrian

[Debs.]

Hello Early Peeps!👋 

It's been a while, nearly a yonk; so just dropping in to confess to doing a bit of r**lw*y muddling.....so blame BazO for leading me a'stray!🫣...."My name's Deb and I'm {still} an E.R"🤓 

On the workbench is a Grumpy Gronk and a Suzie Sulzer.....both being given voice with new tech!🙉 

Henceforth "Ratty" and "Grumpy"🥰 

Best wishes,

Debs.

 

 

Edited April 17 by Debs.

[Coombe Barton]

... if students devoted as much creativity to the task of producing assessments as they seem to do producing excuses they wouldn’t generate the problems for themselves that they do ...

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2024/04/17/who-drives-the-vindictive-more-vivas-local-history/

[Gwiwer]

3 hours ago, polybear said:

7 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

Had a parcel arrive this morning, not sure if the postie knocked as I was upstairs at the back of the house, but if they did I didn't hear it. When I came down there was a card saying it was in the black wheelie bin, just as well it's not BIN day today. 

 

Bear's Postie told me a few months back that they're not allowed to do such tactics anymore.

 

I arrived home yesterday to find a package left outside on the doorstep.  That's a fairly secure location here as it's not in line-of-sight from anywhere other than for someone approaching the door.  And inside- having been thoughtfully popped through the letterbox - was a "Sorry We Missed You" card.  Which identified the location of the package not as "returned to depot" nor "with a neighbour" but "On doorstep in grey plastic bag".  Which was absolutely correct.  I just wonder why they even left the card but hey.  That's life.  

 

Busy busy busy today.  Early watch was quiet with very little commercial shipping and more windsurfers than freighters.  But my first solo watch passed uneventfully other than for the sighting of three choughs.  Still considered rare though they do live along this coast now but three together left me ...... errrrr ....... well chuffed.  

 

Paperwork this afternoon and a meeting this evening prevented attendance at the awl-inspiring club this week.  And the "green" bin (which is brown) has gone out for the fortnightly collection of garden waste.   Another day in the life.  Sunny but cold.  Dr. SWMBO returns tomorrow.  

[polybear]

3 hours ago, Tony_S said:

What a lovely surprise. 

 

Agreed - I won't forget it...

 

1 hour ago, Debs. said:

Hello Early Peeps!👋 

It's been a while, nearly a yonk; so just dropping in to confess to doing a bit of r**lw*y muddling.....so blame BazO for leading me a'stray!🫣...."My name's Deb and I'm {still} an E.R"🤓 

On the workbench is a Grumpy Gronk and a Suzie Sulzer.....both being given voice with new tech!🙉 

Henceforth "Ratty" and "Grumpy"🥰 

Best wishes,

Debs.

 

 

 

That looks like electrikkery befitting of a @PupCam.....

p.s. welcome back @Debs. 😃

 

36 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

 

I arrived home yesterday to find a package left outside on the doorstep.  That's a fairly secure location here as it's not in line-of-sight from anywhere other than for someone approaching the door.  And inside- having been thoughtfully popped through the letterbox - was a "Sorry We Missed You" card.  Which identified the location of the package not as "returned to depot" nor "with a neighbour" but "On doorstep in grey plastic bag".  Which was absolutely correct.  I just wonder why they even left the card but hey.  That's life.  

 

 

In case it does get nicked off the doorstep?  At least you'll know it was there....

Edited April 17 by polybear

[New Haven Neil]

4 minutes ago, polybear said:

p.s. welcome back @Debs. 😃

 

Thirded.

[PhilJ W]

Welcome back @Debs..

[Ohmisterporter]

With regard to job interviews; Through my working career I had sixteen jobs and thirteen redundancies, which may seem unlucky but most were contract work with a finish date advised even before I started. The sixteen successful interviews showed I did at least have the know how to get through the selection process. I had one interview with a personnel manager who lit a cigarette and put it in his ear; burning end outwards of course. After he told me I had got the job he showed me some of the applications he had sifted out. One was written on an envelope that had been opened out to form a rectangle, others appeared to have been torn out of school note books. The sad thing was those applicants may have been better craftsmen than me, they just let themselves down by not having the basic knowledge of how to get to the interview stage. 

The worst interview I had was for a job in Kendal. I arrived in good time but was kept waiting for the chief engineer to appear. When he did he walked in the room and without sitting at the table asked me how long it had taken me to get to the factory from Lancaster. I replied twenty five minutes. He replied, "That's no good I want somebody who can get here in ten minutes". With that he walked out. End of interview. Sometimes you may think you lost out but in reality you dodged a bullet.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. The arthritis was playing up I went upstairs to sit on the bed for half an hour as that is the most comfortable seat in the circumstances. The half hour turned into two hours eyelid inspection. I have taken a couple of Nurofen and they're beginning to work.

[Tony_S]

I had an interview for a head of department post at a school in Essex. They were planning to introduce the same sort of IT curriculum I had been supporting in London. It was going really well until they asked if I had any questions. So I asked when the other PCs would be arriving and who would be installing them. The chair of govenors said there was to be no more expenditure. So I gently pointed out the software for the courses they intended to implement would not run on their existing workstations . The chairperson told me I was wrong and she had seen all the software demonstrated by their current head of dept whom had specified the system. I said she must have seen it running on the server as a standalone, not on their network stations. They didn’t offer me the job although the county advisor rang my boss to say if I wanted a job don’t tell the chair of governors they don’t know what they are talking about. He said apart from that I did very well.