The grumpy thread

[Supernaut]

I'm getting on a trans-atlantic flight at stupid o'clock tomorrow morning, and I've got a sore throat and I'm full of the cold.

 

 

AAARGH!

 

 

 

 

However, the grin part is that I'll be spending two weeks pissing about in Oregon / Washington with 17-Coffees of this parish. Places on the itinerary include an aviation museum with an SR-71 Blackbird and a B52, and Mt St Helens!

 

The reason we're going there is to visit our friend who owned Mason the LS400 before me.

I'll pass him your regards, dollywobbler.

[rainagain]

  On 13/02/2018 at 10:55, Supernaut said:

FTFY

 

 

 

 

My grump? Work.

Even though I posted in the "I love my job thread" a few days ago, I take that back.

 

Basically, I work as a 2nd-line network technician. I'm still on the same pay grade I was on when I worked on service desk in 2013-2014.

Half of the people on service desk are now on the next pay grade up, but I am not. I keep getting obstacles put in my way.

All the while, I'm getting more responsibilities and expectations piled on my shoulders. I'm expected to be running a project to replace wireless access points in various buildings. I've had that expectation ramped up to a building a week. I'm also doing work on the resiliency of the network, and keeping on top of support calls. Meanwhile the people on service desk who escalate calls up to me are getting paid more than me,

 

I'm this close to just handing in my resignation once I'm back from my holiday and looking for contract work. I'd rather be on the dole than doing this. At least the stress level / financial compensation would be more closely matched.

 

Oh yes, I'm also getting hassled to do a training course on IT security. Apparently it's mandatory for all of IT Services staff. You'd think I'd know the basics of IT security, being a fucking network technician! I'm just going to leave it as long as I can and see what manglement say.

Sounds like my last job, although it’s hard and it took me s long time to do it myself, I’d say find something else.

 

Once they realise they can keep adding work onto you without paying you more they don’t stop. I used to pass a power station we did work for on the way home. I would get “would you mind popping in and updating the servers”. Which translated to would you work one-two hours unpaid overtime. This went from every couple of months to at least once a week.

 

Then I got “would you be our new site IT manager”, which I was expected to do as well as my day job. Other engineers around me were getting better projects and better pay. Best thing I did was quit and got another better paid job.

[Timewaster]

  On 18/02/2018 at 00:21, Cavcraft said:

On my work's do tonight and lost my lovely hip flask...

 

...went back to some boozer/s to try and find it, but no joy. Posted a message on Facebook offering a reward.

 

It's been found.

 

By my missus. On the kitchen side.Where I left it.

Has yr missus claimed her reward?

[STUNO]

  On 16/02/2018 at 12:31, shumarialto said:

Is that a relation to the Mondeo mk2? Rear lamps look similar. If so this is all you need.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/duck-ultimate-cloth-tape-50-mesh-white-50mm-x-25m/42088

 

No relation, smaller car than a Mondeo. 

Insurance will supply a new bumper for free if I decide to claim.

The tape may do the trick to save mucking about.

[HH-R]

Working in IT is a thankless life in general. Shite.

[omegod]

Fucking vodafone, me and wife have 500 min contracts and have never gone over in 15 yrs , she must have had some speed this month as she managed to go over hers, first we notice is a text saying have blocked any use , checked the account online and over 2 days she had ran up £64 worth of calls at 50p per minute 

 

It seems they will text you when you are at your data or message limit but will let you run away with voice calls, I added another 300 minutes but the cheeky fuckers held us to ransom and wouldn't unlock her phone unless I paid half of the overspend over the phone , I have a direct debit for the bills and have never not paid  

 

I'm not normally rude on the phone but they got it and will be getting it again via email on Monday 

 

Cunts!

[Cavcraft]

  On 18/02/2018 at 10:45, Timewaster said:

Has yr missus claimed her reward?

 

Yes, it was quite a small one.

[Bren]

Handbrake is stuck on my A6. N/S appears to be stuck. Electronic handbrakes are great.

[chaseracer]

  On 18/02/2018 at 11:02, Cavcraft said:

Yes, it was quite a small one.

 

But she knew that already... 

[rainagain]

  On 15/02/2018 at 12:03, Hooli said:

Every single time I've gone to TS about the standards of trading I've suffered from, they've claimed it's something they don't cover. I'm not sure what they do as poor service, lies & rip off scams from traders don't appear to interest them.

I stopped using them years ago, I would go to them and say the law states X and the trader is saying Y can you please help. All I would get is “put your complaint in writing and sent it to the trader recorded delivery”. After that they would advise “you should take them to the small claims court”.

[Cavcraft]

  On 18/02/2018 at 11:40, chaseracer said:

But she knew that already... 

 

She's either good a bloody good memory or an even better microscope then  

[AlabamaShrimp]

I know it's just me being pedantic but I'm watching Wheeler Dealers and what's his face is changing a Dodge vans front suspension.

 

For the last 50 years it's factory fitted suspension has been fine. So why not cut it all off and randomly weld this giant chunk of metal on that I've had to measure a million times and use a paper template on. How is that any better than what the experts that made it came up with?

 

If I had the money to spend on a car this old I'd want an original one not one with some random shit stuck to it that's near impossible to get spares for. Last week it was GM brakes on a Ford, yeah good luck with that.

[Mr A Lawrence]

at least they didnt paint it a lairy colour.

[SiC]

  On 18/02/2018 at 11:39, BenHar said:

Sure it's not just a snapped cable?

 

Glad you got home.

 

Ben

I think there is no cable on the Audi EPB system, the motors are in the calipers. These can get wet and corrode internally, like the Passat's.

[SiC]

Ah didn't see your quote. I thought you was talking about bren Audi on the post above.

[taxi paul]

I must be having a mid life crisis. I fancy something spicier ,faster and comfier than my jap bus. Want a petrol one.but really need 7 seats and the choice is so miserable. But I know if I get a Volvo t5 estate then I will need the seven seats. Can't really do a second car cos insurance want my soul or a kidney for cover. I shall go back to daydreaming. Moan over.

[taxi paul]

Yes I think the England has the gtr engine in it. The zafira is nice . I have seen a couple if them but wouldn't mind a lower mileage one. What's the 2.0 ltr turbo engine like. I know my daughter had a 1.8 and couldn't kill It,till she drove it with no oil which done the job. Seen a Subaru tribuca today but no room in the rear seats at all. Also there is a 5.0 l8tr Mercedes ml near to me . I say that I would like something nice then the kids stand all over the seats and spill drinks and crisps everywhere. I suppose that's why I am grumpy about it.

[taxi paul]

Thank you sir. I have also seen a galaxy 2.0 ltr petrol ghia. Not has sporty but maybe slightly more practical. I shall have to have a road trip and try a few to see what fits the bill. I have a Toyota Regius at the minute. It's great but uninspiring . I know I sound like a moaning git but need something for all the kids and bikes . That is also nice to drive when on my own. Can't do two cars at the moment. There is an older zafira gsi for sale by me at the minute. Which looks very nice.

[red5]

  On 18/02/2018 at 17:12, taxi paul said:

I must be having a mid life crisis. I fancy something spicier ,faster and comfier than my jap bus. Want a petrol one.but really need 7 seats and the choice is so miserable. But I know if I get a Volvo t5 estate then I will need the seven seats. Can't really do a second car cos insurance want my soul or a kidney for cover. I shall go back to daydreaming. Moan over.

Stretch Sleekah...

[taxi paul]

If only my friend if only. Anyway what does your mechanical knowledge say of 2.0 petrol ford galaxy . Go wrong but cheap to fix. Or not bad. Talking of Toyota's funny I was just thinking about my old one.

[320touring]

  On 18/02/2018 at 19:34, taxi paul said:

If only my friend if only. Anyway what does your mechanical knowledge say of 2.0 petrol ford galaxy . Go wrong but cheap to fix. Or not bad. Talking of Toyota's funny I was just thinking about my old one.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2001-vw-sharan-with-wheelchair-ramp/1287525358

[richardmorris]

Just been talking to my grandfather on the phone. He’s managed to crash his car in the drive. Typical older driver issue. Foot slipped off the brake onto the accelerator he says, reversing at speed in his bmw 3 series into the bins. He’s paying to get it repaired ( it’s a motability car). Some £1000 with the rear lens. He’s only just had it back a week after the last scrape hitting the brick gatepost at Christmas.

 

Now, I’m not a blood relation but he married my grandmother in 1975 and he’s the last remaining grandparent, but how do we suggest that he stop driving? He only does 1500miles a year and is 85 and on enough diamorphine to knock out an elephant. Or supply much of wrexham’s addicts. Although I suppose he could use the cash to fix the Bmw!

 

( not my choice by the way, I suggested a nice little Alfa mito thing, but his other grandchildren seemed to be more influential).

 

Just for clarity, he’s 85 and his motability allowance would more than pay for all taxis, it’s just his “independence “.

[Cavcraft]

If you're going to get a Galaxy, get the 1.9TDi one. Those engines (possibly VAG units) are fantastic and do stupidly high miles no bother.

[taxi paul]

Do they have a DPF. I don't think they do because if age. Only really do mostly short journeys and have had problems with Dpf's n the past which put me off them to be fair.

[richardmorris]

  On 18/02/2018 at 20:29, Nyphur said:

Mid Life Crisis .... Diesel.....

 

You're doing this all wrong.

Exactly. My crisis saw me buying a 3.2 litre merc. And ongoing a couple of bicycles.

[red5]

2.0 petrol fairly unassuming. Ones I’ve had dealings with are reliable or inexpensive to fix. Of course, now someone will ‘prove me wrong with apocalyptic tail of woe.

 

Difficult to tick all the boxes there chap.

[Mally]

I'm 72, driving wife's Motability car ( she drives it 4 times a year maybe). Done 5,000 miles in the last 2 years, which is nothing by my standards.

I also have my own 75 on classic 3,000 mile cover, and drive the tranny a bit.

Not got to the bumping stage yet, but hope I'll realise and stop driving.

Could do away with Motability car, but 75's insurance would go through the roof and it would FTP the next day.

[richardmorris]

  On 18/02/2018 at 20:42, Nyphur said:

Much the same as my now dearly departed grandfather - loved his independence and prided (is that a word?) himself on being a good, contentious driver.

 

Once we added up how much it was costing him to run the car, insurance, tax, repairs, depreciation etc vs his under 1000 miles a year, and worked out how much it would cost for him to just call the local taxi firm every time he needed the trip into town - it was a no brainer.

 

Sadly we're having the same battle with my other grandfather now who gets a brand new car every 2/3 years and chops in the old one at a massive loss. He keeps switching between diesel and petrol too so pumping out a tank full of the wrong fuel is a regular occurrence. He does probably 500 miles a year and take a HUGE loss on every car he chops in but refuses to convert to taking taxis. 

 

My parents are always on at him to knock the driving on the head and move to taxis. On the one hand I'm with them as he does seem to be clipping his garage wall or car park curb every other month, but sometimes he fancies buying a chippy tea and heading up to where we scattered my Nan's ashes and having a meal and chat with her by himself for an hour of an evening and at that point do the dentmaster costs really matter? 

 

I've been in the car with him on the move and he's a very good driver, just seemingly on the slow maneuvers he forgets where the front/arse of the car are and gets way too close to a wall. If he gave someone else' car a love tap he'd be the first to own up, but you just hope that it doesn't happen.

 

 

As you say of your own, I don’t think he’s a bad driver, but fear his reactions aren’t what they were. And his luck won’t last forever. As far as I know his last actual crash was in 1960 when his v8 ford was hit by a motorbike.

It’s not easy bringing up the topic though, even though he’s already said this will be his last car. Hence the grump i suppose.

[fraser.innes.3]

Up in Edinburgh just now for the week. Since my dad died in November, all of the things he used to do have mounted up, so I have a 'list'! Got 4 done yesterday, so one of today's was fit a new toilet seat in the bathroom upstairs. Should only involve a 13mm spanner to remove the old one. The tools that were actually involved were 2spanners, vice grips, 2 screwdrivers, pair of pliers, wd40, junior hacksaw and an angle grinder! Took 2 hours. FFS, I can do a Megane cambelt in less time. On the plus side, the new one I got from toolstation is all fitted from above, and took about 5 mins to fit. What my mum didn't tell the family was that she broke a rib when the last seat snapped and she fell off onto the bath. She didn't want to worry anyone! She was 80 last month!

 

Sent from my HUAWEI M2-A01W using Tapatalk

[Kiltox]

Banks are a massive pain in the arse. Looking into the feasibility of a mortgage so applied for an agreement in principle from one of the biggest mortgage providers that may be part of the same group I’m currently on contract to

 

Thought it weird when it didn’t ask for figures for income and then, obviously, declined based upon affordability

 

Rang them and got “oh, if you’re a self employed consultant you need to have been doing it for more than 12 months”..... why doesn’t the tool say that and stop me from submitting it????

 

Going to see if I can find the development team and moan at them today