The grumpy thread

[MikeR]

6 hours ago, eddyramrod said:

Further to this, and my reply of "Yes"...

We bought a new kettle sometime last year.  It looks like this, but black...

Not quite the right model but it IS a Swan.  It's nothing but fucking useless.  Look where the handle is: your hand gets scalded when you pour.  That handle is secured* by one barely-accessible and (crucially) barely finger-tight nut inside the kettle body at each end.  If you fill it enough for a hot-water bottle then while boiling it will shoot boiling water out of the spout, all over your worktop and its own lead and base.  It also leaks anyway.  The lid requires force to remove and refit, and is too small to allow you to refill from the tap without getting water down the side of the bloody thing.

This morning we've ordered a new jug-style one online.  When it comes, if I can't foist this piece of shit onto someone more needy, the tip will beckon.

we have used cheapo tesco kettles for years  , at least the ones with a 360 base , I work on the principle that they work ok , and get binned when they dont ..

done the posh upmarket ones , most of which broke fairly quickly ..

[Volksy]

1 hour ago, Talbot said:

Follow up on this.

Went back to Sainsbury's, explained the situaiton.  The've cancelled the PCN.  Clearly they do have a "back door" method to get rid of PCNs if they want to, as all they needed was the PCN number from the letter.  Very glad it's sorted!

Yes, the store can call the parking company or the landowner/facilities management company to cancel tickets. 

On private car parks - which I manage a few - the landowner/manager has the authority to do this. 

[goosey]

Hopefully the fuckarse that nicked my prescription ray-bans gets the migraine from hell 

[Noel Tidybeard]

positive again!!

what a fucknugget of a headache😨

[GrumpiusMaximus]

4 hours ago, iainrcz said:

Jesus pissing christ.

So that's another pair of tyres as I bet it's not repairable.

I had this happen to me a couple of weeks ago.  Took it to the tyre place I usually use and they took a quick look and repaired it for £16.  Even better, the repair was done from the inside out so it's not even visible.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Had new carpets fitted today.  They were friendly, turned up when they said they would, did a great job and I'm really pleased.

Apart from the fact that one of them used my cordless vacuum cleaner, tried to empty it when I wasn't there and evidently managed to empty the entire filter housing into their rubbish bag and took it away with them.  I can't just buy that bit.  Whole thing is useless.

That'll be me asking for £270 off the bill tomorrow as that's what it will cost to replace.  I  actually own two of them but that's not the point.

[High Jetter]

Your vacuum? Tell them to get theirs out of the van, lazy gits.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

24 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Your vacuum? Tell them to get theirs out of the van, lazy gits.

That wasn't really the issue.  The issue was that the corded Sebo was sitting on the other side of the doorwayand that one doesn't require an instruction manual to use and is much better at the job they were trying to do.  I don't mind if they use my vacuum, just make sure you don't take away the most critical component in your rubbish bag...

I'm not annoyed at the fitters to be honest because I can't say with any authority that I haven't done something so patently stupid at some point.  They did a good job and the communication from the company has been excellent, so it's literally just this one thing.  They're just going to have to make good on the item.

They fitted a built-in front door mat because they had an offcut in the van and didn't charge anything for it, etc.  Can't complain about the work and I'm sure it's a genuine error.  If they do make good on the vacuum then I'd have no hesitation in recommending the firm at all, they've been thoroughly professional throughout the process from the very first phone call.

[Kiltox]

Well fuck

[iainrcz]

The cat failed its MOT? Bugger.

[jakebullet]

Ma has a tablet converted for low vision use. Complaining today this doesn't work, phone them up, moan moan. So I do, and support tells me the software version is old shit, but tablet too old to run latest version and I can't have any of the versions in between that would run on her old tablet. Buy a new one. Great.

Ok, can I transfer the existing software license? yes, that saves you £249. But you need a support contract to transfer, £99. Ok, so that's new tablet cost + £99? Nope. There's a £49 charge for transferring the license. Bit of a piss take, what does the £99 support do for me then?

[anonymous user]

On 4/11/2023 at 9:28 PM, RoverFolkUs said:

I had a similar thing with a former colleague, was quite a morally difficult circumstance really. 

In short he tended to struggle with recognising social cues, and was on the autistic spectrum. Very much on the "mild" end of the spectrum

Consequently, you could be in the middle of doing something quite important, or trying to get something finished at a fast approaching deadline, or just anything that needs more significant concentration such as the jobs you describe, but he would continuously come over and talk about a subject that isn't relevant to the task or circumstance in hand therefore could have waited until lunch time. 

Or I could be talking to someone else or be on the phone and he'd just interrupt without fully realizing that it wasn't appropriate 

At times it was fairly frustrating because I wouldn't ever dream of snapping back because he meant no harm but a nod, smile and "oh right" or "just a moment" which some people might perceive as "could you please be quiet" was never really understood

I did try mentioning it a few times that I would appreciate it if I could be left undisturbed while on jobs unless it was something that I need to know immediately but it never did quite register

It was just incessant chit chat about something that happened ages ago which everyone is well aware of or is no longer relevant, plans for the weekend, what he got up to last weekend. A new film that's coming out soon. An event in his romantic life. Etc etc 

I hope this post doesn't sound nasty, because it certainly isn't intended in that way. 

I've got no problem with someone struggling to recognise when I'd rather be left alone to concentrate on something but it really was constant and extremely distracting. Meaning I'd lose track of where I was or have to retorque a bolt or recheck timing again or something because of this background conversation

You have described me. I was not diagnosed as autistic until I was in my 50s.

I have gone through life missing social cues not realising that I was pissing people off hugely. Add that to not being able to see that there could be more than one right answer (if I'm right and your answer, or the way you get to it,  is different you're wrong)

It took a lot of work for me to recognise just some of how I came across to others, I'm less worse than I was, but still balls it up sometimes. I'm completely mortified when I look back at how I was and when I still catch myself boring people rigid now.

If you know someone like me keep reminding them, they will thank you in the long run.

It was not nice realising that I had fewer friends than I thought, just that some people are too polite to tell me I'm an annoying knob, but I'm getting there. In fact I'm happier now that I don't feel it necessary to make conversations.

[New POD]

1 hour ago, anonymous user said:

You have described me. I was not diagnosed as autistic until I was in my 50s.

I have gone through life missing social cues not realising that I was pissing people off hugely. Add that to not being able to see that there could be more than one right answer (if I'm right and your answer, or the way you get to it,  is different you're wrong)

It took a lot of work for me to recognise just some of how I came across to others, I'm less worse than I was, but still balls it up sometimes. I'm completely mortified when I look back at how I was and when I still catch myself boring people rigid now.

If you know someone like me keep reminding them, they will thank you in the long run.

It was not nice realising that I had fewer friends than I thought, just that some people are too polite to tell me I'm an annoying knob, but I'm getting there. In fact I'm happier now that I don't feel it necessary to make conversations.

I'm absolutely sure I'm not autistic but fuck me, there some of that describes me.  

[junkyarddog]

Went to go out in my Mondeo today to find a bird had shit directly onto the drivers door handle!!

To be fair I'm quite impressed by the accuracy.

[somewhatfoolish]

20 hours ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

That wasn't really the issue.  The issue was that the corded Sebo was sitting on the other side of the doorwayand that one doesn't require an instruction manual to use and is much better at the job they were trying to do.  I don't mind if they use my vacuum, just make sure you don't take away the most critical component in your rubbish bag...

I'm not annoyed at the fitters to be honest because I can't say with any authority that I haven't done something so patently stupid at some point.  They did a good job and the communication from the company has been excellent, so it's literally just this one thing.  They're just going to have to make good on the item.

They fitted a built-in front door mat because they had an offcut in the van and didn't charge anything for it, etc.  Can't complain about the work and I'm sure it's a genuine error.  If they do make good on the vacuum then I'd have no hesitation in recommending the firm at all, they've been thoroughly professional throughout the process from the very first phone call.

Why not phone them? I doubt they get their skip emptied very often.  

1 hour ago, junkyarddog said:

Went to go out in my Mondeo today to find a bird had shit directly onto the drivers door handle!! To be fair I'm quite impressed by the accuracy.

It was probably standing on the handle.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

57 minutes ago, somewhatfoolish said:

Why not phone them? I doubt they get their skip emptied very often. 

I did, first thing.  The big boss had to go bin raiding and only went and found it.  The fitter was nice enough about it but didn't realise what he had done and was on the verge of being defensive over the phone but accepted that he was the last person to use it...

[Markeh]

Trying to book a holiday abroad was problematic enough given I am terrible for actually choosing a suitable trip - cancelled one week of leave at work last month cos I couldn't find anything I wanted at the price I wanted, figured I'd try again in a couple of weeks and see what I could get.

Unfortunately, it now looks like a family member is extremely close to deaths door. Now I'm not that close and there's nothing I can do anyway, but sadly I'll be judged if anything happens before I go away and I don't cancel it/for not coming back early if something happens while I'm away, and I'm not in a position to throw £££ down the drain if it happens. So looks like I'm either wasting a week off, cancelling my leave again or maybe I'll be swapping a week in all inclusive sunshine for a few days in a caravan somewhere not too far away.

[Metal Guru]

5 hours ago, junkyarddog said:

Went to go out in my Mondeo today to find a bird had shit directly onto the drivers door handle!!

To be fair I'm quite impressed by the accuracy.

A bird shat on my car once. Never went out with her again!

[Remspoor]

6 hours ago, Markeh said:

Trying to book a holiday abroad was problematic enough given I am terrible for actually choosing a suitable trip - cancelled one week of leave at work last month cos I couldn't find anything I wanted at the price I wanted, figured I'd try again in a couple of weeks and see what I could get.

Unfortunately, it now looks like a family member is extremely close to deaths door. Now I'm not that close and there's nothing I can do anyway, but sadly I'll be judged if anything happens before I go away and I don't cancel it/for not coming back early if something happens while I'm away, and I'm not in a position to throw £££ down the drain if it happens. So looks like I'm either wasting a week off, cancelling my leave again or maybe I'll be swapping a week in all inclusive sunshine for a few days in a caravan somewhere not too far away.

Sorry to hear that. Would not a cancellation due to family member death be covered by your insurance?

Funerals in the UK do not happen immediately . So there maybe time to take the vacation before hand.

[Markeh]

2 hours ago, Remspoor said:

Sorry to hear that. Would not a cancellation due to family member death be covered by your insurance?

Funerals in the UK do not happen immediately . So there maybe time to take the vacation before hand.

This was my original plan (I've known he was ill for the last month or so), but his condition deteriorated significantly over the past couple of days and they've moved to end of life care - given the rate he's deteriorated at, I don't think I'm going to get time to. Will double check my travel insurance (fortunately I'm still covered on the one I took out last year)

[Back_For_More]

9 hours ago, Metal Guru said:

A bird shat on my car once. Got photos and am now admin of the speciality subscriber website.. 

Ftfy

[Rust Collector]

16 hours ago, junkyarddog said:

Went to go out in my Mondeo today to find a bird had shit directly onto the drivers door handle!!

To be fair I'm quite impressed by the accuracy.

A few weeks back I was chatting to someone who stopped me just as I was about to get in the car. I left the door ajar as we spoke for a few minutes, then once they left I got in the car. As I pulled the door shut, I discovered that a seagull had managed to shit directly on to the inner handle. I did not appreciate it, and I'm convinced that the gull meant to shit there.

[abelw44]

Was that honestly necessary?

Sent from my Nokia G11 using Tapatalk

[TataBobu]

Sorry, but it's really hard to judge from such a tight photo. It really depends on the existance or lack of lines that would show you the parking spots.

[5speedracer]

On 4/11/2023 at 8:41 PM, eddyramrod said:

It's true though... 50 years ago I was one of the many avid watchers of Tomorrow's World on BBC.  Every week Raymond Baxter, James Burke, Judith Hann and Michael Rodd took great pains to tell us how much better our lives would be in the future when all this technology became normal and commonplace.

They lied.

Ok we have the internet, which is simultaneously a massive positive and a vast, deadly, crime-ridden sewer, but I suppose that second is just human influence.

Ditto card payment, and contactless.

But the rest?  It's all rubbish.  Worse, it's all cynically marketed at the consumer as the greatest thing since sliced bread, and the consumer laps it up.  Said consumer spends every penny he doesn't have, lining the pockets of those at the top of the chain, who do precisely nothing of any value.

Anyone know the story of The Emperor's New Clothes?

Aye, we were all meant to be living the life of Riley by now, maybe work a few hours a week but so much free time to enjoy. Bit like the Romans really.

[outlaw118]

Just now, 5speedracer said:

Bit like the Romans really.

Yeah, but what have The Romans ever done for us?

(etc)

[artdjones]

1 hour ago, abelw44 said:

Was that honestly necessary?

Sent from my Nokia G11 using Tapatalk
 

I know, typical Audi driver 😒

[hairnet]

so after being told by the specialist medical gadgees that they didnt need to see me for anything unless stuff flared back up

after the ok in january its been blood test and the odd talking to to see if anything other than the test they do have changed

so the spec lot pulled me in today for appt and i though as the previous one (theres been two others since november)

blood test and a speak to the doc who i wanted to speak about some other stuff

as the letters only say appt and nothing else

went in and sucky sucky  and then she said oh you can go (i thought back out sit down then see doc)

30 secs after i sat down no we're done you can go

oh - was expecting to see doc  - no was only bloods

right ok i have an appt in may that youve cancelled and re sched but i cant make it can i get you to rearrange it or ring the number on the letter?

i can do that (thinking she might say next month or june)

end of august?

WTF

i dont get it

even tho ive got half a day off im not chuffed

 

[richardmorris]

When I got back after Easter my satnav said it was waiting for updates. So not being busy i brought it inside, put it on charge and started the updates. That was Wednesday. It’s now on 43% installed.

[Zelandeth]

I'm really sick of feeling like garbage now.  Keep having brief moments of feeling almost human then the fatigue and/or headache from hell reappears.  

Managed to vacuum most of downstairs earlier...wiped me out for the next four hours, but at least I got something done.

Sadly the to do list is growing at more than "about 2/3rds of one household job a day."