The grumpy thread

[D Spares & Tyres]

Sounds like someone needs a big pint of chillout stout.

Holidays are supposed to be that. A time to do what you want with whomever you want (provided they feel the same)

I don't celebrate Christmas for obvious reasons but I do know that Christmas was once a religious time for giving and receiving, spending time with your loved ones etc... Now its been massively over commercialised with everyone trying to out do each other. Going back to basics isn't hard, but everyone feels the need to compete.

Why get caught up with everyone else who stresses over Chrimbo/Easter/whatever? Can't be arsed to put decorations up? Then don't. Bored? Go and spend time with your old'uns or some friends. TV shit? Get a few of your fave DVDs in or try a hobby. It isn't hard, people are just too hard-wired into thinking they must be stressed out in order to look like they're trying hard or whatever.

Cos its cold and miserable outside. Kids are starting to squabble. Nothing new left to say to the relatives. I'm all for holidays but when the weather is nicer. Fuck Xmas, can't wait til its over.

[eddyramrod]

A good mate died over the weekend, still in his 50s too. Both of his parents outlived him.

 

Gutted.

Sympathies John.  That just shouldn't happen.

[Junkman]

Same from me. It sucks. I know exactly what this feels like, I lost a sizeable proportion of my frieds in the past couple of years.

[richardthestag]

sorry for you JM, John F and anyone else who lost someone important whether over Christmas or not, it is wrong to like your posts but I feel your grieving

 

Lost one of my really good mates on Christmas Eve 3 years ago, I saw him 2 months before and in all the mess of day to day life next I saw  was a facebook message on Christmas morning from his bro saying that he had passed. properly fucked off that I hadnt bothered to contact him by phone or even know that his condition was so serious. I will always in my mind be a cunt for this single action. Cpt. Scarlett spirit lives on forever now. he was not a good man he was a Great man.

 

Oh and Christmas, Only the Septics and the Limeys do it like this!!! It is all just a fucked up stress fest now.

 

Mutha thestag loved Christmas so much that she fought the dreaded C to just about make it to yet another. But her Christmas' were classy, understated and as I recall as a nipper, just about perfect. Nowadays it would appear to be a race to who can bankrupt themselves on gaudy decorations, useless presents for undeserving brats* and stuffing their faces until their arseholes bleed.

 

I spent a smoll fortune on Mrs thestag explaining clearly that 5% was as a Christmas celebration and the rest is simply to thank her for being my wife. Mrs thestag bought me a carved Hippo from her South Africa holiday and her love, I couldnt want more.

 

Next year max budget for presents of £5 and the more futile the gift the better. And no I am not going to spend "alf a tonne" on a dead twig for 3 weeks entertainment for the cat!

 

And I am seriously considering donating time and/or the Christmas budget to the homeless so that they can not only survive but also be just a little bit more comfortable at this bell end of the year

 

 

[alcyonecorporation]

A few points to the charming gentleman in the private plated Audi A6: 

M62 eastbound: thank you SO MUCH for blinding me with your full beams in the appalling spray near Birch services. 
Apparently, according to you, I'm not allowed to have my rear fog light on despite the shite visibility (less than 100 metres). Thanks for swerving in front of me and turning yours on and off to make your point. 

While you're giving your opinion of my driving (with much gesticulation) can I remind you that: 

1. Diving across two lanes in terrible weather to cause me GBH of the optic nerve is really inconsiderate.
2. Then, cruising in the middle lane, eh? Tut, tut. 
3. Doing at least 70 in the pissing rain (in lane 2)  when I ignore you in a speed controlled 50 is a bit thick, soz. Could you see my middle finger? I hope you did. 

A very happy new year to you too, road captain boy. Go you. 

[Cavcraft]

Fire up the AVAS memes:

 

13.3 miles in (thirteen point three) and my son’s new car...

 

 

..water pump shit itself. Could have been worse and pretty confident the garage couldn’t have known about it in fairness. Still a pisser though

[Kiltox]

What a shitter (the situation not the car but now you mention it)

[wuvvum]

Has he traded in the VXR then or is that an additional car?

[wuvvum]

PS I can beat that - my last Range Rover only managed 8.5 miles before seizing its water pump.  That was a D reg though.

[chaseracer]

Still no excuse for parking like that, Billeh! 

 

#joke

[Cavcraft]

Has he traded in the VXR then or is that an additional car?

(Very) sadly the VXR went when he bought his house a few months ago. The HP payments and fuel were none too cheap, but it was fine until he wanted a mortgage. Anyhow, when that went he got a cheap Corsa D 1.4 per, so a slight* come down in performance and whatnot. I wanted to take the finance over on the Astra but my usually non-plussed about cars missus was most against that idea .(

[alcyonecorporation]

Still, your lad's got a smart car and a house to his name; from what I've heard he'll overcome the local AVAS scourge with no issues at all. 

[Angrydicky]

No it wasn't him, Mercrocker. He was only four when it was plate raped! However, it's most hypocritical of him to moan because he's got an Anglia 105E that was a super original, low mileage car when he got it, which he had resprayed to show standard.

[Angrydicky]

I can echo your sentiments about bad drivers Jon. Before I moved to Suffolk, I rarely got blinded in the rear view mirror, now it's an everyday occurrence. Usually huge, tank-like German 4x4s with retina-burning LED headlights. Last night it was some Audi Q-bollocks penis extension, with horrendously bright headlights, tailgating me for miles through various 30 and 40 speed limits, as I clicked up my rear view mirror and stuck rigidly to the limit. When I tired of him, I had to stay at 30 as we passed the NSL sign to encourage him to overtake.

[Rod/b]

I’ve got a bit of work to do that is really rather pressing. So, of course, Windows is updating itself and seems to be stuck on the “Getting Windows Ready” stage. Like it has been for THE LAST TWO HOURS. IT have tried a hard reset but no, this is as far as it gets.

 

FUCK YOU GATES

[Des]

No it wasn't him, Mercrocker. He was only four when it was plate raped! 

 

That seems fair enough but you do need to corroborate his alibi. Just a thought, but if the guy saw the car while it was in yellow primer he could be under the mistaken assumption that it's to become another hysterical Trotter replica, wars have started over lesser misunderstandings.

[Wack]

Arseholes

 

Stuck on the M6, traffic started to slow but still chugging along then 3 fire engines , a dozen cop cars , ambulances so somebody is having a really bad day

 

Looks like I'm going to be here a while

[beko1987]

Arseholes

 

Stuck on the M6, traffic started to slow but still chugging along then 3 fire engines , a dozen cop cars , ambulances so somebody is having a really bad day

 

Looks like I'm going to be here a while

That leaf owner possibly, he might only have 25% charge. Could always plug him into your ciggy lighter?

[The Moog]

Drove back from London village last night back to Accrington.

 

Passed 4 different accidents on the M6 & M65 where people had spun their cars into the barriers. Amazing how people think they are better than the laws of physics especially in RWD German machines. 

 

Horrible weather and loads of standing water means that 90 mph progress is not advisable especially with 20 inch wheels and low profile tyres 

[dollywobbler]

A few points to the charming gentleman in the private plated Audi A6: 

 

M62 eastbound: thank you SO MUCH for blinding me with your full beams in the appalling spray near Birch services. 

Apparently, according to you, I'm not allowed to have my rear fog light on despite the shite visibility (less than 100 metres). Thanks for swerving in front of me and turning yours on and off to make your point. 

 

While you're giving your opinion of my driving (with much gesticulation) can I remind you that: 

 

1. Diving across two lanes in terrible weather to cause me GBH of the optic nerve is really inconsiderate.

2. Then, cruising in the middle lane, eh? Tut, tut. 

3. Doing at least 70 in the pissing rain (in lane 2)  when I ignore you in a speed controlled 50 is a bit thick, soz. Could you see my middle finger? I hope you did. 

 

A very happy new year to you too, road captain boy. Go you. 

 

Actually, to be fair, use of rear fog lights in spray (rather than fog) can be horribly dazzling and not really necessary. Doesn't excuse cuntish behaviour though. A quick flash might have alerted you, but it's easier still to just jog on.

[Parky]

Fucking Royal Mail.

 

(1) Mrs P's Birthday Friday.  Ordered a gift in December which was dispatched on the 15th.  Noticed it hadn't shown up so checked the tracking.  Basically it went to Romford, then Grays, then back to Romford, and then Grays again.  it seems nether depot can work out which one should have it.  Apparently I can collect it from Grays but as I don't have a "while you were out" card on account of no-one attempting a delivery, I cant have it for "security" reasons.  It would seem providing proof of ID and address isn't adequate to prevent ISIS getting hold of some glassware.  Solution?  If not collected, RM will return it to Amazon and I will have to repurchase it.  Arseflaps.

 

(2) Sitting at home, Letterbox clunks.  I get straight up and am at the door ten seconds after hearing the letterbox.  What have I got?  A "while you were out card" for a separate package.  Twat didn't even attempt to ring the bell!  Looked outside only to see a Vauxhall Combo speeding off at 200mph so that's an hour of my life lost tomorrow at the sorting office.

[bub2006]

Volvo being a prick again. No transport and no cheese so no dinner.

[SiC]

MIG Welding course I wanted to go on has filled up on both January and April starts already. Slots were only opened up yesterday too. FFS.

 

A vehicle restoration course is full in January but some availability in April start. Still has some welding but also has more painting+filling+etc. Possibly still worth doing.

[Tickman]

MIG Welding course I wanted to go on has filled up on both January and April starts already. Slots were only opened up yesterday too. FFS.

 

A vehicle restoration course is full in January but some availability in April start. Still has some welding but also has more painting+filling+etc. Possibly still worth doing.

 

Seriously, spend what you would have on the course on the welder and have a go. You will learn more by trying and you won't have to wait your turn to speak to the lecturer.

[Rusty_Rocket]

A vehicle restoration course is full in January but some availability in April start. Still has some welding but also has more painting+filling+etc. Possibly still worth doing.

 

I think that's a great idea, go for it!

[SiC]

Seriously, spend what you would have on the course on the welder and have a go. You will learn more by trying and you won't have to wait your turn to speak to the lecturer.

£150 doesn't seem to buy that great a welder!

 

This did arrive today though so I can fix my dodgy £20 welder I got off Gumtree.

 

[Tickman]

£150 doesn't seem to buy that great a welder!

 

This did arrive today though so I can fix my dodgy £20 welder I got off Gumtree.

 

But it is £150 more in the budget.

[Guest Hooli]

£150 sounds worth it to me. Without someone telling you were you're going wrong I know I'd waste more than that in materials trying to guess how to do it.

[Angrydicky]

I think my welder was £130 secondhand. It's properly knackered, and I had to replace the torch straight away as it had had so much use it was broken, but it's welded up countless cars over the last 7-8 years.

 

But yeah, just teach yourself on some scrap pieces before moving on to the car, use cereal box card for templates. It doesn't take long to pick it up.

 

Oh, and buy an auto-darkening helmet!

[Rusty_Rocket]

The problem is, MiG welding is so much harder with a crap welder.  It's enough to put you off.  You can have an ace technique and years of experience and still produce welds that look like birdshit and prise apart with a screwdriver.

 

My machine is an Oxford and cost close to a grand once I'd bought a pukka torch and a decent helmet.  But it's money well spent in my book.  I can run perfect welds, with no porosity that penetrate as they should.  I can even weld thin crap like the 1970s Avenger that is a friend's on-going project.... and I'm not a top class welder, by any stretch.

 

At least if you do a course at the local college, you will be using a top-spec machine, that feeds wire properly (the biggest downfall of a cheap welder!) and will allow you to build up your confidence.