ADs, Corvids and the sequacious masses

[Mascotte]

New thread

Yeah they lost any argument with the Banksy justification . As if a bit of graffiti changes my thinking .

Glad to see the news focusing on the unemployment figures. This is a shit storm that will affect everyone even those in a safe job.

@dingit

Going shopping today. Is it going to be awful if I don't wear a mask? I have genuinely ordered some. It they haven't arrived yet. This is my last shop, I don't intend venturing out after 24th apart from food.

Is leaving your glasses in the car an option? If I were to go maskless AND glasses-less-ness (!) I’d not see those disapproving looks. 😂

@torydeathdrug, it did turn him instantly into an AD! He was muttering that “this is fucking madness”. Went onto Twitter about it and got torn to shreds. He seems to be in some weird Twitter bubble that is all about the hobby and the outside world doesn’t appear to get through. He’s rather shocked at the lack of critical thinking skills of some and ended up in an ongoing row where he was accused of killing grannies

Work is feeling a bit more normal so far. I have an agenda to prepare. For a project governance meeting😊. They've been suspended since February. I've never felt excited preparing an agenda before. No doubt the Covid related emails will start soon knocking the mood but it's a good start to the day.
I'm going to need new walking boots soon and am contemplating going to get them this weekend before masks are required - anyone been to Cotswold Outdoor, are they dementory? On the other hand I want more chickens and some may be available after weeks of trying. Decisions, decisions.

The commuter train commentary has thankfully changed from a close-to-tears woman begging people to wear masks, to a more sensible sounding bloke reminding commuters masks are mandatory unless you have an exemption. My feminist side wishes it had been the other way around, alas.

Took DD shoe shopping last night before mask-hell kicks in. I really hope we are wrong and mandatory mask wearing does boost the high street as the numbers I saw yesterday are simply not sustainable for any length of time. Even Primark wasn’t busy.

To those with hair problems, I suffered from stress related alopaecia thanks to various fertility treatment and miscarriages. It will go eventually. I also started taking multi vitamins for hair, frankincense from Neals Yard, and other supply. My hairdresser commented how much thicker my hair was though it took months for the benefits to show.

I love that Banksy (Who I have long suspected is from a naice white middle class background) is art, Whereas poor black inspired graffiti is vandalism 😬

Tory, I did that in H&M, we were the only customers. We had to exit on the lower floor. This meant going in a lift and touching buttons ( dd who was with me has mobility issues).
We then had to come back up the escalator to be back on the same floor.

@BlackberryViolet on the upside we've got a new recruit in your DH now!

@Drivingdownthe101 I often think the same myself - it must be really comforting to live in a world where life is so easy and black and white as 'banksy is right and Trump is wrong'. As soon as you open your eyes and think critically, the world becomes much more stressful and challenging. I feel bad about yesterday, the don't engage rule is an excellent one and I am guilty of engaging on that one. Sorry :(

@countrygirl99 I love the idea of being excited about a project governance meeting. You and I might be kindred spirits

I went all the way around mega asda and didn't realise until the end that there was in fact a one way system. Hate to think how many people I killed. Obviously noone else was following the one way though as I'd hope I would have noticed....

@dingit yes it was H&M for me too .. they’ve taped up all the escalators for some reason. I decided it was too confusing & stressful & went to Topshop instead.

@Drivingdownthe101

Unless you think that because sometime you dislike holds a view, you should automatically hold the opposing one? My feelings on masks are as I described upthread. That view is entirely unrelated to what either Trump or Johnson feel about them.

I'm seeing that sort or reasoning expressed more and more on here that and labeling someone with differing views left or right wing as if it's some heinous insult.

I think it's partly drifting over from US and US media -there's no a stopped clock is right twice a day understanding and partly people wanting short cuts to thinking about issues themselves.

I personally think underground and mask make sense for most people however why Banksy an artist with a very obvious poltical bias be held up as some authority on the matter is beyond me.

I've got to head into town later - the cheque paying app has limits.

Overall I can pay in the amount I need to but not in one single cheque. So I'll have a look around the shops.

The current level of critical thinking does seem to be the uber-simplistic opposite-of-Trump opinion.
I literally couldn't give a rat's nethers what Trump or Johnson think. I have my own opinions which I've arrived at with lots of informed reading from different sources.

And the idea that "Trump thinks the same" is the insult that people seem to think it is. The education system has a lot to answer for

DH was talking about going to the NT at the weekend. I was fine with that if he was going to be online at 00.05 Fri am for the Glastonbury style ticket rush.

He's not getting out much and it's really not sinking in that you can't just go out and do everything spontaneously like you could.
As it happens the DCs and I are out at rhe NT this afternoon, but a Thurs pm is easier to get than a weekend. It's another one of those death by a thousand cuts that it's basically booking a walk in the park days ahead, and goid luck with whatever the weather actually does.

The "oh you're a Trump supporting redneck" has become the mic drop card for anyone raising any queries on this - it's like some magical "I've won and you're wrong" card they're all playing.

I can't fight the crap anymore. I've now got to talk to a fucking social worker to clarify why and if I'm allowed to be exempted from wearing a mask on campus - so I could quite easily be denied my right to education as a result of this shit.

Thanks yes and then the scottish schools are back on the 18th? Not that long really. It seems like a loooong break - weather pretty rubbish too. Sorry must stop moaning, very hormonal today.

just went to shop for milk, usual one is closed so small one and put the mask on but the guy in there didn't and started talking away, seems a bit off that we have to ear them and the shop staff don't. Even in small shops. Tearful on the way back, angry tears, but cross with myself too for letting it get to me.

Stay safe! he cackled at me on the way out

He's not getting out much and it's really not sinking in that you can't just go out and do everything spontaneously like you could

Same here with DH. He has his own unit he has to work in and goes to work...maybe doesn't get it until they actually face it themselves? I reckon

Mine actually said this morning, what can you not actually do that you wouldn't normally. Umm, loads...

@Orangeblossom78

Stay safe! he cackled at me on the way out

The next email I get that starts with "I hope you are all keeping safe" is going to get a reply back that "well, I've scheduled in skydiving without a parachute for Thursday at 8.45pm, but I'm going to spray the floor with anti bac ready in advance" or something equally snarky.

Hmm! yes I definitely over engaged with the young accountant yesterday. She was pretty revved up on alcohol and adrenaline though. At least she didn't resort to swearing at us. 😁.

I may have over indulged in the wine somewhat myself

We've been together nearly 20 years and we have an age gap. He's in a good position at work and is used to being the expert and right too often. He's not always very grounded in mundane realities as he's quite detached from those...
I love him, but he can be a PITA.

TBH that Banksy graffiti on the train was shit. I mean I like Banksy a lot of the time, but that was indistinguishable from a vandal-ish splat.

Morning. Here we go again, another boring day.

Actually met a friend in the flesh yesterday for the first time. It was lovely. It felt almost normal (usually we'd meet in our favourite cafe but she's very anxious so we shivered in the park instead, but it was worth it).

Today I feel flat and teary again. This is the pattern at the moment- grind along with gritted teeth, do something nice & feel better, crash a day or so later.

Whatever your thoughts on mask-wearing, has anyone noticed them lying discarded on the pavements over the last week or so?

My instinct is to put litter in the bin if I see it, but no way am I picking up a discarded mask. They are as anti-social as chewing gum stuck to a bus seat.

My mum hasn't been out much, they don't drive anymore and the community minibus they relied on to get around has been suspended. She couldn't understand why I was saying she couldn't just assume she could pop into the Cathedral coffee shop for lunch - "but I've never had a problem getting a table there". But she does have dementia as a reason for not understanding change. It's probably a good job dad was too poorly to go for his hearing test as it wasn't even open.

Morning all.

Have been a bit absent on SM the past few days - DM was taken into hospital after another fall and then had a stroke whilst in, so my head has been occupied with other things.

Good news re ds2's return to school in September - the school sent the guidelines through yesterday and it looks as near normal (PROPER normal not this fake 'new normal' shite) as possible. Year group bubbles, yes, but no staggered drop off times, the canteen will be open (although each year group will have one set time to go and one set area to eat in; any other snacks needed will have to be brought from home), PE kit to be worn on PE days but otherwise usual uniform...I'm very pleased that they're taking such a no-nonsense approach.

On masks: I've made a few fabric ones for family and some friends- they essentially give the nod to 'the roolz' but otherwise are loose-fitting and as un-cumbersome as I could make.

I did wonder though- given that visors are ok- could we not just use fans, like the ladies of yore? They could also be used for poking people if they get too close

We've been together nearly 20 years and we have an age gap. He's in a good position at work and is used to being the expert and right too often. He's not always very grounded in mundane realities as he's quite detached from those...
I love him, but he can be a PITA

Very similar, too, our age gap is 8 years. and been together far far too long.