The grumpy thread

[New POD]

I worked in a petrol station when I was student, being on a fast road bilking was quite common. The boss would try and dock our wages if we didn’t get the registration plate. He then got cctv and we used to get the same number, they just covered the p,ate or removed it. Weirdest one was an old couple who were local, they drove off at a leasurely pace but when the police went round to them they flatly denied being in the petrol station and I ended up as witness, they were fined about £300 for £30 of petrol. If they had just coughed up the money they could have claimed each one had though the other had paid and they would have been ok. From seeing them in court I don’t think both were senile to the point they genuinely didn’t remember and they made a cock and bull story up about being in Nottingham which the prosecution then ripped apart as the copper had recorded the time he spoke to them and they would have had to go at 120mph all the way back for it to stand up.

When I worked in the "Amaco Cadiz" as a 6th former I had one drive away.

It was before Cctv was common place.

The police came to my house the next day and pretty much spent an hour trying to tell me I was lying. Luckily my mother was present and made sure that I was believed.

It turned out that the registration number belonged to the car of one of the most hated teachers in my school.

I'm guessing that either someone cloned his plate, because he really was a twat. Or it was him, because he really was a twat.

[AMC Rebel]

the perks of collecting lightbulbs (and more recently old computer stuff) number 71:

 

come birthday/Christmas no one has any idea what I want so I almost always just get a card+cash for me to splash on whatever I want to spend it on  (which IS what I prefer and i let them know this fact incase they feel bad for handing me "cold hard cash")

 

and if someone insists they get me something, asking for a Bayonet capped 5ft 80W/8ft 125W fluorescent tube or a vintage GLS shaped Mercury vapour lamp, generally gets them to just hand over the cash

 

Ha ha that's like the time I asked for Ko Yahan by Salif Keita for my Birthday

[AMC Rebel]

My other half managed to get me back on the "significant" birthday pressie this year. For her 40th I took her to venice (where I wanted to go) and for her 50th I took her to Rome and Florence (again where I wanted to go.) So she got me back for my 50th last week by taking me to Spain for an all inclusive week on a beach (where she wanted to go and my idea of hell !) I did manage to get a day trip out into France for dinner in Narbonne on the Wednesday night though so that was a little win. I must admit some of the Brits in Spain on all inclusive tend not to set the best example of British behaviour. The daft thing was they couldn't understand why the waitresses had the hump about being shouted at in English. The poor girls worked 7 days a week and most of the time without even a thank you in English let alone anyone trying to speak Spanish. I must admit I was pretty useless myself with the amount of times I said Bonjour and Merci (I only ever seem to go to France)

 

I despair of Brits abroad at times - when I was in Turkey and really enjoying it I got chatting to a fellow brit who started bemoaning the lack of a "proper" breakfast - what a tool.  I was similarly amazed by the ability of local staff to remain pleasant and polite, but I guess they needed the money.

[AMC Rebel]

I worked in a petrol station when I was student, being on a fast road bilking was quite common. The boss would try and dock our wages if we didn’t get the registration plate. 

 

Pre CCTV former filling station worker here - we were always docked if we didn't have the plate - one week we all chipped in so one colleague didn't go home with nothing for her week's work after some bastard filled up a load of cans in the back of a van and vamooosed when it was really busy.  Apparently the wages docking thing was (and probably still is) legal.  Worker's rights? don't get me started.

[Tamworthbay]

Pre CCTV former filling station worker here - we were always docked if we didn't have the plate - one week we all chipped in so one colleague didn't go home with nothing for her week's work after some bastard filled up a load of cans in the back of a van and vamooosed when it was really busy.  Apparently the wages docking thing was (and probably still is) legal.  Worker's rights? don't get me started.

It was a real bastard, I was only on £20 a week and £15 went in petrol for the Capri, so being docked £10-20 was a big thing. There were ways and means to balance the books that I won’t go into here.

[dozeydustman]

BT Suck

 

 

My dad would agree. He works for them, said even the linesmen, holes & poles men, and those who work in the exchanges have had enough over the past few years.

 

He started when it was GPO telephones......

[wuvvum]

I've had better days from a fettling perspective.

 

Avid followers of the News 24 thread may recall that I recently did the front brake pads on the Rover 45, using a set of pads purchased from eBay..  Earlier this afternoon, whilst clearing out the car ready for its test tomorrow, what do you think I found?  Yup, a brand new set of Brembo brake pads still in their box.  FFS.

 

More annoyingly, whilst messing around with the nearside wishbone on the Audi, I managed to pull the driveshaft out of the CV joint.  Obviously it wouldn't slot straight back in as that would have been too easy, and upon pulling back the CV boot to better see what I was doing, half the ball bearings fell out.  I've managed to get some of them back in and the car is now capable of forward and rearward motion, but obviously I'm going to have to fix it properly and I have a feeling it's going to be a twat of a job.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

It works in the same way, yes. All of the information for RDS is carried on a 58kHz subcarrier - so your radio hears it but you don’t.

 

However, the Traffic Announcement doesn’t just take you to the strongest transmitter. If it can hear it, and it’s broadcasting TP and TA, and your radio is looking for it (you have TA on) it’ll retune regardless of whether it’s the strongest signal on the dial or not.

 

 

58kHz makes sense.  I've got some settings on my stereo (VAG Gamma) that I can tweak to get the TA that I want but I've never delved into them.  I use TA so rarely but always found it quite an interesting idea.

[Guest Hooli]

My twat-nav has tweakable 58kHz settings for TA too. I never knew they used them till I was reading the manual.

[dozeydustman]

Went to Aldi on way home from work as needed some minor shopping - milk, eggs, batteries etc. Old giffers and biddies - 3 of with a trolley each - by the bread counter across the width of the aisle blocking it. Asked one of them if I could just grab a loaf off the counter behind him, and ended up with a tirade about being impatient should wait my turn. I only asked if I could get a loaf of bread. Eventually managed to grab my bread, so walked back up the aisle and down the next one so I could get to the tills. The miserable old bastards had managed to get on the three open tills. They opened up the till next to me, I moved over and started to unload my basket. Miserable old sod who bread-blocked me shouted at me again for being impatient and was going to ring the council about my behaviour. The perils of wearing a uniform on way home.

 

Got home, had cup of tea, chilled out for a bit to Led Zep IV.

 

Step-miss dustman wanted to make some low naughty point cakes for the slimming world group's Macmillan coffee morning we're having at the group this evening. Ran out of greaseproof so while she was making a cake batter I popped to the Coooooperative up the road.

 

1 girl on the till, massive queue of customers. Silly old bag in front of me didn't move up when called by cashier, kept standing where she was looking at the sweets and other tat in the little displays running up to the till. I quite politely pointed out to her that the cashier was calling her up - ignored. Then the lady behind me told her in slightly sterner words that she was being called. ignored.

 

Meanwhile second checkout assistant comes along, this old boot in front of me was being called by both cashiers. I prompted her again that there were now 2 empty checkouts and she could go and pay.

 

"I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME, I'M WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO FILL UP WITH PETROL"

 

Cashiers called me and the lady behind 'to come round the other way'. Miserable old bag started ranting that we were jumping the queue and should wait our turn. I had a roll of greaseproof paper, lady behind me had a tenner in her hand to pay for her fuel.

 

Why are so many old people so fucking obnoxious when they're in the shops?

[Guest Hooli]

Because they can be.

No one given a choice would be shopping at rush hour when busy people get there by choice, so they must go at that time just to piss everyone off.

[beko1987]

Co op rant

That is exactly why I rarely venture into the co-op, fucking hateful place.

 

Made even worse that Amy knows everyone who works in our local, so nipping in to stuff a quick £20 of fuel in or get some milk comes with 6 conversations about how every one is.

 

Ffs I'm on my way home from work and need a piss, everyone's alive, thank you for asking now get out of the way/jump on the till debs as appropriate

[GrumpiusMaximus]

I've been watching the Brett Kavanaugh hearing live since 3:30, and its both disheartening and emboldening in equal measure. Disheartening that someone who has had the bravery to come forward about a sexual assault which has affected her for the majority of her life is being dragged over the coals infront of the world's media.... yet emboldening the huge support that she has had in telling her account of the facts.

 

How on earth we have come to the point that the appointment of a person to one of the highest legal positions on the land is being pushed through in the face of multiple allegations of serious sexual assault, without any kind of investigation, because it would be politically inconvenient for the president of the united states were it not to go through..... I just despair.

 

Apologies for the politics, its just unfathomable. Reminds me once again of why I try not to keep up with the news, it really is detrimental to my mental health.

 

 

I'm completely with you.  It's disgusting that somebody who could potentially wield so much power still has a chance to hold that power.  Ten years ago, his nomination would have been quietly dropped.

 

Hopefully there can be some justice in the end.

[cort1977]

Ten years ago, his nomination would have been quietly dropped.

 

Not sure about that, the very similar testimony from Anita Hill about now Supreme Court judge Clarence Thomas was ignored and she was treated pretty poorly.

 

The Reps are desperate to get this through before the mid-terms while the Dems recall the Merrick Garland nomination and are even more keen than usual to put the boot in.

 

Apologies for the politics, i'll shut up now.

[Lacquer Peel]

Those following the Brett saga might enjoy the latest Chapo Trap House episode.

 

Listen to Episode 248 - Too Many Bretts! (9/24/18) by Chapo Trap House #np on #SoundCloud

https://soundcloud.com/chapo-trap-house/episode-248-too-many-bretts-92418

[Snipes]

So my broadband has been down for just about a week now. BT missed their fix deadline of Tuesday (it literally worked for a couple of hours, then dropped out again), didn't call back last night as they said they would and now my insistance it be treated as a complaint has achieved literally nothing. Their next deadline is tonight. My expectations are suitably low.

So still no fix and we're on to our third deadline tomorrow. I've given up on it now and those pointless dates are just getting annoying.

[richardmorris]

I've been watching the Brett Kavanaugh hearing live since 3:30, and its both disheartening and emboldening in equal measure. Disheartening that someone who has had the bravery to come forward about a sexual assault which has affected her for the majority of her life is being dragged over the coals infront of the world's media.... yet emboldening the huge support that she has had in telling her account of the facts.

 

How on earth we have come to the point that the appointment of a person to one of the highest legal positions on the land is being pushed through in the face of multiple allegations of serious sexual assault, without any kind of investigation, because it would be politically inconvenient for the president of the united states were it not to go through..... I just despair.

 

Apologies for the politics, its just unfathomable. Reminds me once again of why I try not to keep up with the news, it really is detrimental to my mental health.

 

In any normal period ( note this is not )the merest hint of sexual impropriety would be seen as bar to higher public office. The poor woman has nothing to gain from this, and much to loose, so why would she make it up?

[mercrocker]

Got an email from Beaulieu today telling me of a 50th Anniversary display of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.   No, not the Zborowski racers, the Ford Zodiac engined one.   

 

50th Anniversary?!!! 

 

Where did that fucking half-century go?   

[richardmorris]

Kavanaugh's opening statement was rambling and bordering on the demented. His answers to this first round of questioning are rambling and bordering on the demented.

As someone else has pointed out - this is not a trial, its a job interview. Any other job, with any other candidate, the allegations alone would be enough to exclude them from the opportunity. This is for a lifetime appointment to one of the highest legal positions in the land - and multiple allegations of sexual assault is not enough to discount him from being considered for admission to the position, never mind a criminal investigation being brought. Horrendous.

 

Apologies for my crosspost from PH, but it still rings true:

 

I am beginning to get the feeling that this whole proceeding is moot, and Kavanaugh will be admitted no matter what, and this will be used as "evidence" that Ford has made everything up.Utterly shameful. Not shameful that the "result didn't go how I wanted", but there has been no proper investigation, because its politically inconvenient for there to be a delay while the United States investigate whether someone in one of the highest legal positions in the land is guilty of (potentially repeated) sexual assault or not.

I heard her testimony but haven’t had chance to hear his yet. I may be angrier later!

[richardmorris]

Got an email from Beaulieu today telling me of a 50th Anniversary display of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.   No, not the Zborowski racers, the Ford Zodiac engined one.   

 

50th Anniversary?!!! 

 

Where did that fucking half-century go?

 

They haven’t emailed me! Chitty was there in the museum at the start of the month when I was at the autojumble. It’s one of my favourite films, just a slip back to childhood.

[hairnet]

It took me much longer than it should to work out the fly hadn't drowned in a mistyped pasty

fuggin northern - not a pint of mild

[Tadhg Tiogar]

In any normal period ( note this is not )the merest hint of sexual impropriety would be seen as bar to higher public office. The poor woman has nothing to gain from this, and much to loose, so why would she make it up?

 

The only question I have is "why bring it up now"? Why let it fester for decades when it might have been exposed much earlier? Is it convenient political timing?

[wuvvum]

How on earth we have come to the point that the appointment of a person to one of the highest legal positions on the land is being pushed through in the face of multiple allegations of serious sexual assault, without any kind of investigation, because it would be politically inconvenient for the president of the united states were it not to go through

The thing is that I'm not sure, realistically, what sort of an investigation there could be.  As far as I can see it's one person's word against another's regarding something that may or may not have happened nearly 40 years ago.

 

I agree that it is not an ideal situation where someone is nominated to such an influential position as Supreme Court Justice with a cloud like this hanging over them, but the flip side is that if his nomination is dropped as a result of these allegations (and let's not forget that that's all they are at this point - allegations), that would have the potential to open a different can of worms as politicians (and those who operate behind the scenes) of both parties would know that if ever there is a candidate or nominee that they don't like, all they have to do is find someone to make an allegation of historical sexual assault and bam, that person's career is over.

 

Sorry, I appreciate that that is not the "correct" viewpoint to have - it seems to be completely verboten to even think that there is a possibility somebody might make a false allegation for political or other ends.

[cobblers]

The only question I have is "why bring it up now"? Why let it fester for decades when it might have been exposed much earlier? Is it convenient political timing?

No, it's because she's pushed this horrible memory away for years thinking it was inconsequential. Now the bloke that fucking raped her is set for a lifetime job on the supreme court and she's finally been forced into bringing all that shit back up.

[artdjones]

No, it's because she's pushed this horrible memory away for years thinking it was inconsequential. Now the bloke that fucking raped her is set for a lifetime job on the supreme court and she's finally been forced into bringing all that shit back up.

You were on the spot and saw it happen?Why didn't you go to the authorities before?

[Tadhg Tiogar]

No, it's because she's pushed this horrible memory away for years thinking it was inconsequential. Now the bloke that fucking raped her is set for a lifetime job on the supreme court and she's finally been forced into bringing all that shit back up.

 

See below:

 

... the potential to open a different can of worms as politicians (and those who operate behind the scenes) of both parties would know that if ever there is a candidate or nominee that they don't like, all they have to do is find someone to make an allegation of historical sexual assault and bam, that person's career is over.

 

Sorry, I appreciate that that is not the "correct" viewpoint to have - it seems to be completely verboten to even think that there is a possibility somebody might make a false allegation for political or other ends.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Wuvvum, I can see your point of view.

 

The simple fact is that candidates for political positions usually have extensive screening during their party selection processes.  Putting aside the fact that they US doesn't have a properly independent judiciary (which is at the heart of this, ultimately) the fact that there is any possibility of an allegation shows that the candidate selection process is flawed or nonexistent.  It's an attempted appointment by a man with no regard for due process and that there are sexual assault allegations hanging over him means that it was the wrong selection in the first instance.

 

The background checks parties do on their candidates - particularly here in the UK - are often extensive, deep and vicious.  Some get through issues by having frank discussions and media strategies in place for any potential issue that may arise from journalists digging around in their pasts - but in this case, it would appear that none of that has happened.

 

However you look at it, there are so many levels of utter incompetence at hand that any such appointment sets a dangerous precedent.

[wuvvum]

It's an attempted appointment by a man with no regard for due process

Well that's certainly true, and certainly doesn't make the situation any easier.

[Wack]

Went to Aldi on way home from work as needed some minor shopping - milk, eggs, batteries etc. Old giffers and biddies - 3 of with a trolley each - by the bread counter across the width of the aisle blocking it. Asked one of them if I could just grab a loaf off the counter behind him, and ended up with a tirade about being impatient should wait my turn. I only asked if I could get a loaf of bread. Eventually managed to grab my bread, so walked back up the aisle and down the next one so I could get to the tills. The miserable old bastards had managed to get on the three open tills. They opened up the till next to me, I moved over and started to unload my basket. Miserable old sod who bread-blocked me shouted at me again for being impatient and was going to ring the council about my behaviour. The perils of wearing a uniform on way home.

 

Got home, had cup of tea, chilled out for a bit to Led Zep IV.

 

Step-miss dustman wanted to make some low naughty point cakes for the slimming world group's Macmillan coffee morning we're having at the group this evening. Ran out of greaseproof so while she was making a cake batter I popped to the Coooooperative up the road.

 

1 girl on the till, massive queue of customers. Silly old bag in front of me didn't move up when called by cashier, kept standing where she was looking at the sweets and other tat in the little displays running up to the till. I quite politely pointed out to her that the cashier was calling her up - ignored. Then the lady behind me told her in slightly sterner words that she was being called. ignored.

 

Meanwhile second checkout assistant comes along, this old boot in front of me was being called by both cashiers. I prompted her again that there were now 2 empty checkouts and she could go and pay.

 

"I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME, I'M WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO FILL UP WITH PETROL"

 

Cashiers called me and the lady behind 'to come round the other way'. Miserable old bag started ranting that we were jumping the queue and should wait our turn. I had a roll of greaseproof paper, lady behind me had a tenner in her hand to pay for her fuel.

 

Why are so many old people so fucking obnoxious when they're in the shops?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IWwCj-GPel0

[clayts450]

Odd one today which made me cross.

 

I now have to do a daily search for a parking space on the streets around the office since they shut the car park to enable redevelopment to crack on.

 

Lo and behold I actually got a space on the street right round the corner from work. One way street, but had some modern Merc right up me trumpet. Indicated to reverse in, but made a right Horlicks of it as I was rushing, so pulled out again and had another attempt. Not perfect but plenty of space for the Merc to drive past so I could have a third attempt - I waved him forward with a smile.

 

Nope. Just sat parked up on the street watching me. It's bad enough knowing you're shit at parallel parking without having a fucking audience. So I just shut the engine off and sat in my car with him still sat there behind me on the street watching me. Eventually he drove on, stopped and just stared at me, face like a beetroot. I just stared back with a 'what ?'. He edged forward then just stopped at a give way sign for a few more minutes then shot off. Once he was out of sight I did it properly.

 

Perhaps he thought I was going to give up because I was a shit parker so that he could dive in. No chance mate.