Thread 16 - TalkLair: "Well, I'm not exactly quaking in my stylish-yet-affordable boots, but there's definitely something unnatural going on here."

[Kucinghitam]

(Previous thread 15).

Another year over, a new one just begun...

In the TalkLair, the hearth is glowing, the walls festooned with tinsel, books by non-approved authors line the shelves, rugs are down on the floors, the tree is twinkling with fairy lights (and possibly being clambered on by cats). The denizens of the lair are a welcoming bunch though, always eager for general chit-chat on all manner of topics.

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey Christmas roast beast over there in the corner of the cave…

I started reading the blurb and got to "not just studying history but travelling to it" and immediately clicked on "buy this thing now!" Just One Damn Thing After Another is currently 99p on Kindle. Thank you @Britinme I think this might be right up my street. I love history, I love time travel. I am very excited!

If you enjoy that one you’ll love the rest and also the spin-off Time Police series. She’s written a few other books I’ve also enjoyed which are less comedic but pretty gripping.

Thanks for the seasoning tips. I'll get me some posh flaxseed oil.

It might be cheaper to buy cold pressed linseed oil from a vet or animal feed supplier - the standard will be at least as high as stuff for human consumption, and less likely to include additives.

The brand I used is Emile Noel and it has no additives at all. It was £6 for 250ml.

I have just seen the following opinion expressed in a travel group, in response to a question about things to do in Paris:

If you live in a US city with a comprehensive art museum, you don't need to bother with the Louvre because the art is pretty similar.

I really don't know where to start.

Five stars! I laughed my tits off!

@duc748 you don't have tits.

I do realise this is not the point.

Outed!

How to say you know nothing about art without saying you know nothing about art.

Mind. Blown.

This morning DH has jetted off to his Very Very Nice conference. DDs have started GCSE mocks (there were some tears and tantrums yesterday).

On the bright side, the freezing temperatures have finally eased and I'm hopeful the pavements will be somewhat less of an ice-rink by this afternoon. Also, travel agent has been activated to look into our Malaysia holiday (minor update: now we're all going).

Here is Mochimochimochi forgetting to put her tongue away. 'Scuse the chairdrobe in the background.

Aw - sweet Mochi.

Mocks are so much worse than the actual exams, because you know your teachers will be marking them and you'll see their merciless comments and have to listen to their complaints about how you need to work harder. At least once the actual exams are done, you never have to see or speak of them again.

It was -3° here yesterday and +9° today, but ot doesn't feel warm. That may be because I've had a relapse with the food poisoning. I had to drive to Newcastle to the bank for a letter and a couple of printed statements, which I should have done last week.

I went into my accountants and the receptionist said, "Hi, are you OK? You look terrible!" At least I look ill!

Oh dear @SinnerBoy 🤢

Forgot to mention @Britinme that I have bought One Damned Thing After Another on your recommendation!

I hope you enjoy it Kuc - I have loved the whole series.

I momentarily forgot I had it and started reading an actual paperback which is a bit meh but not meh enough to discard. I decided I need to read it as quickly as possible and then move on the prize of history and time travel.

@SinnerBoy I hope you feel better soon.

Wow!

I hope you feel better soon, SinnerBoy, food poisoning is horrible.

I read an article earlier about young people calling in 'experts' to change light bulbs and whatnot. I sent a link to Mr Veg who sent it on to his mum. She replied with a story about her GD's boyfriend. On a recent icy morning it was suggested to the young man that he switch on his front and rear screen heaters for a while before setting off. After five minutes nothing seemed to be happening so GD's mum suggested he made sure they were on full blast. A little while later, still nothing happening so she said you have switched on the engine haven't you? Oh no, he said!!

When we get properly old, these are the people we'll be relying on for help. I despair.

https://archive.ph/HuPOn

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/anxious-gen-z-call-in-the-experts-to-change-a-lightbulb-wfrppmqqx

That's behind the paywall, but I found it on GB News (obviously my news source of choice) and it is quite extraordinary! I admit to never having changed a car tyre, but I've hardly driven since my early 30s when the combination of being young and female and driving a Morris Minor meant that I never needed to. I only had to get out of the car (invariably on the A3 Kingston Bypass) and some obliging man would stop and help, by which I mean do it for me.

I feel no shame about this. 😏

I have changed a car tyre, but am very happy to pay someone with better kit and stronger wrists to do it for me. I also go to the tyre centre to get the pressure checked. And the last time I needed a new windscreen wiper blade and apologised to the guy in the garage for not doing it myself he assured me they aren't all standard size and it was just as well to let him do it. Neither he nor the tyre centre guys charge - they know they'll get the 'proper' jobs once they've established themselves as helpful.

ps, yes I can and do change lightbulbs, though I prefer to have someone else in the house before I climb a ladder so they can call an ambulance or an undertaker if I fall off it.

I've not changed a tyre for a very long time - not having a spare means there's not much point taking the damaged one off. I think I could probably remember how if needed.

I'll happily change light bulbs, plugs and lights switches, but don't mess with serious electrics. Ditto plumbing.