The grumpy thread

[Mr_Bo11ox]

What a torrent of shite, can someone hammer a good thread over it?

[greengartside]

MASSIVE FUCKING GRUMP, YO.

 

As some of you on here may know, I have recently split up with my long-term partner and moved back home from the flat we used to rent. We were meant to be there until April but because it's a contract we still have to pay the rent until the 6th April (official moving-out date). She's still living in the flat though. She has no job and is claiming housing benefit but her payment could take up to 4 weeks to arrive, so all in all we are a month's rent behind at the moment because of that.

 

I get a text message from my landlord this morning basically saying that if we don't pay the month's rent and the rent in arrears in full by the end of the tenancy then they will have no alternative but to undertake legal action and court appearances. We would also have to pay for court costs and incur a CCJ because we didn't pay on time. So now I'm fretting because a) she's not going to get paid until the end of next month, a cost of indeterminate value so it could be less than the rent and I'm not exactly flush myself and can only afford to pay my half for the month's rent. I have umpteen bills to pay from the fallout of the break-up and I feel that I will be struggling to get anywhere I really don't know what to do.

 

Also the fact that I was going to try and get an engine and gearbox for the MG next month - well that's not going to happen now. And I needed the car ready for my cousin's wedding in May, as I don't trust the 106 to get up there and back as it's misbehaving badly at the moment. I'm so fucking stressed and worried. I thought moving back home would be easier but it's not. FUCK'S SAKE.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Yeah, I agree with the guys above. Tayne, let's just leave it here. It's just a cyclical argument that makes everyone even grumpier! Have a soft-top Trabbie to cheer you up!

 

 

Bloody hell, GGS. Sorry to hear that. Try and talk with your landlord (in writing if possible, preferably e-mails but texts are OK too) and pay as much as you can whenever you can...Don't wait till you have the exact amount you owe. Don't worry too much though, eviction is not a straightforward process and you wouldn't be kicked out because you are 1.5 month in arrears, especially if you can show the court that you're making an attempt to sort things out.

 

Assuming the landlord isn't a total numpty, he will be aware of the above and will not go any further than threatening you with legal action. Just make sure to be as open and co-operative as you can- this way, you both minimise the chances of being taken to court and bring yourself to the best possible position to defend the case if it does end up there.

[AnthonyG]

 

You can afford to take literally thousands of pictures before choosing the one(s) you want, without having to worry about the costs of the film or its development.

 

If you need to take thousands of pictures for one shot, you're probably not a very good photographer!

[AnthonyG]

Making an offer doesn't mean that it'll be accepted. I have tried, but I have been unsuccessful and it's not hard to see why. I have two HR degrees plus a professional qualification, speak 4 languages and have HR work experience in 3 countries. How would you rate the chances of my offer making it past the HR Officer who has a couple of A-levels and maybe done just the first part of the professional qualification (which, to be totally fair, may be adequate for 90% of the work they do)?

 

This, unfortunately, is a very bad position to be in

 

Indeed...I'm starting to seriously think about PhDs now, even if they are not in my own area of research expertise, because there doesn't seem to be much of another way out.

 

Luxo, seriously, only do a Phd if you want to be an academic and commit to that as a career. It won't help with the job front, as companies will just see it as another 3 years (or whatever) away from the 'real world'.

 

If you speak 4 languages and have relevant work experience I'd be looking at working in other countries, preferably outside Europe for obvious economic reasons. Resource rich areas are doing very well at the moment - are the Middle East, Australia, Canada or Asia possibilities for you?

[myglaren]

 

You can afford to take literally thousands of pictures before choosing the one(s) you want, without having to worry about the costs of the film or its development.

 

If you need to take thousands of pictures for one shot, you're probably not a very good photographer!

 

I worked for a while with a superb photographer who drove our bosses wild.

 

Usually the photographers would go out on a job with several cameras, at least one a view camera with a couple of dozen loaded double dark slides.

Bob would take one camera and four dark slides max.

 

He was booked to take photo's of the first sea trials of a new ship.

Helicopter booked and everything then our RB67 developed a fault so I shot home and brought my Hasselblad in.

He hadn't used it before but off he went with only one roll of film loaded into the camera, was back in less than two hours and handed over the single roll of film for processing.

He'd taken three shots. No light meter, just judged it and the exposures were perfect.

Took the contact proofs to the boss who just about died of apoplexy.

Could not understand why he hadn't used half a dozen rolls.

"That's all you need" says Bob. "That one, bin the other two"!

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, that was indeed the one that they used and the client loved it.

 

ED:

Neglected to mention that these were taken from a helicopter hired for the job at tremendous cost

[Pete-M]

What pisses me off?

 

People who think that the answer to absolutely everything is "Sue them", "Report them" or "Send them a solicitors letter". Really fucking boils my piss even when they're not aiming their litigious bullshit at me.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Luxo, seriously, only do a Phd if you want to be an academic and commit to that as a career. It won't help with the job front, as companies will just see it as another 3 years (or whatever) away from the 'real world'.

 

I know exactly what you mean. I DO like research and universities and want to become an academic, but I was hoping to get some more solid 'real world' experience behind me before getting locked up in the ivory tower...However, I can't keep looking for a job forever- it's a road taking you straight to depression!

 

If you speak 4 languages and have relevant work experience I'd be looking at working in other countries, preferably outside Europe for obvious economic reasons. Resource rich areas are doing very well at the moment - are the Middle East, Australia, Canada or Asia possibilities for you?

 

I have applied for literally DOZENS of jobs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and a couple more in other bits of the ME. Not one interview. I will try again, but things look very bleak. Unlike bankers or engineers, our kind of work is highly dependent on employment law which varies wildly between jurisdictions and the few sectors that tend to work in English (e.g. hospitality and oil) tend to require previous experience in the particular industry. I'd love to work in Malaysia, even if the wages aren't brilliant, but, despite the fact that English is used for business and official documents, they tend to require you to speak the local dialect (Bahasa Malaysia).

 

Canada and Australia don't seem too exciting, but I'd work there for a few years...However, they have all sorts of visa-related difficulties.

 

An ex-girlfriend lives in Argentina and tells me things are great down there, and I do speak Spanish- that's probably the only half-realistic possibility I haven't properly explored yet...

[eddyramrod]

Why do I feel like everything is my fault?

 

Two bills arrived today, just notifications as they will go to the bank for automatic payment, which they may or (more likely) may not get. Phone (and therefore internet) and electricity, total 500 euros, give or take a few cents. I haven't got it. I have no idea where or how I can get it. I'm frantically trying to sell stuff just so we can eat and maybe pay the bills between now and leaving-day, and it's not working. I'm being messed about over two of my cars, and there's precisely zero interest in the other one. Our Cyprus dream/adventure is well-and-truly over, we can't go back to Blighty yet because there are tenants in our house still, and anyway the only method we could afford to use at the moment is walk/swim, as flights and containers cost money. Which is tied up in three cars and a load of household goods, some of which we will need to take back, hence the container. Mrs R's hair is falling out in wholesale quantities, which is depressing her (and therefore me). My denture has a big crack in it. We're bloody cold as this house has neither insulation nor central heating and Cyprus is experiencing its coldest winter for many years.

 

Murphy's Law describes my life pretty fucking accurately.

 

I don't for a moment imagine there's anything anyone here can do about the above, just thought I'd get it off my chest. Thanks.

[warren t claim]

Why do I feel like everything is my fault?

 

Two bills arrived today, just notifications as they will go to the bank for automatic payment, which they may or (more likely) may not get. Phone (and therefore internet) and electricity, total 500 euros, give or take a few cents. I haven't got it. I have no idea where or how I can get it. I'm frantically trying to sell stuff just so we can eat and maybe pay the bills between now and leaving-day, and it's not working. I'm being messed about over two of my cars, and there's precisely zero interest in the other one. Our Cyprus dream/adventure is well-and-truly over, we can't go back to Blighty yet because there are tenants in our house still, and anyway the only method we could afford to use at the moment is walk/swim, as flights and containers cost money. Which is tied up in three cars and a load of household goods, some of which we will need to take back, hence the container. Mrs R's hair is falling out in wholesale quantities, which is depressing her (and therefore me). My denture has a big crack in it. We're bloody cold as this house has neither insulation nor central heating and Cyprus is experiencing its coldest winter for many years.

 

Murphy's Law describes my life pretty fucking accurately.

 

I don't for a moment imagine there's anything anyone here can do about the above, just thought I'd get it off my chest. Thanks.

 

100 shiters could Paypal £2 each. I'd be happy to contribute to one of own own.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

eddy, send me a PM with relevant details if you need me to ring them and give them an earful in Greek.

[Cheggers]

Why do I feel like everything is my fault?

 

Two bills arrived today, just notifications as they will go to the bank for automatic payment, which they may or (more likely) may not get. Phone (and therefore internet) and electricity, total 500 euros, give or take a few cents. I haven't got it. I have no idea where or how I can get it. I'm frantically trying to sell stuff just so we can eat and maybe pay the bills between now and leaving-day, and it's not working. I'm being messed about over two of my cars, and there's precisely zero interest in the other one. Our Cyprus dream/adventure is well-and-truly over, we can't go back to Blighty yet because there are tenants in our house still, and anyway the only method we could afford to use at the moment is walk/swim, as flights and containers cost money. Which is tied up in three cars and a load of household goods, some of which we will need to take back, hence the container. Mrs R's hair is falling out in wholesale quantities, which is depressing her (and therefore me). My denture has a big crack in it. We're bloody cold as this house has neither insulation nor central heating and Cyprus is experiencing its coldest winter for many years.

 

Murphy's Law describes my life pretty fucking accurately.

 

I don't for a moment imagine there's anything anyone here can do about the above, just thought I'd get it off my chest. Thanks.

 

100 shiters could Paypal £2 each. I'd be happy to contribute to one of own own.

 

Same here...happy to help.

[eddyramrod]

Wow! That's a generous response, well three, even. Thanks chaps, seriously!

 

Warren, I didn't mean to sound like I was begging, sorry. I wasn't. Nor do I mean to belittle your offer in any way, it's astoundingly generous of you and there will always be a cuppa with your name on it in Barrow. Cheggers, you will also find a welcome.

 

Luxo, equally generous and equally appreciated. It may come to that, but I hope not. But do keep an eye on your PM box just in case...

 

I'm bowled over, gents, I really am. All I intended to do was vent. Thank you all, again.

[cms206]

Make it four, Eddy... I'll throw some coins into the pot if it comes to it.

[Pete-M]

Four and a half. I'll chip in a quid

[eddyramrod]

Make it four, Eddy... I'll throw some coins into the pot if it comes to it.

 

Barrow Tea Fund, I can see it now... (You have to laugh, even hollowly...)

[chaseracer]

<..shitty worrying stuff that could happen to any of us..>

 

100 shiters could Paypal £2 each. I'd be happy to contribute to one of our own.

I'm in. Where do I sign?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Luxo, equally generous and equally appreciated. It may come to that, but I hope not. But do keep an eye on your PM box just in case...

I'm bowled over, gents, I really am. All I intended to do was vent. Thank you all, again.

 

No probs. Even when I am not logged onto the forum, the system will e-mail me about it.

 

(btw, I am also up for offering 2 quid if it helps!)

[eddyramrod]

Better make damn sure I never run out of teabags...

 

My innocent little whine seems to have become some sort of Autoshite appeal, which I never intended. I'm truly bowled over to see the response. If it does come to anything, please, let's refer to it in future as the Barrow Tea Fund, because I'm serious about that: any Shiter involved will always be able to get a relaxing cuppa with me; probably while divining some intermittent/intransigent faulty shite outside my house! Tea Room opens in September, if all (or in fact anything) goes according to plan.*

Chaseracer is right, of course: all this shit could have happened to anyone. And it could be worse, there was a period when I seriously thought I wasn't going to have Mrs R by Christmas. So you have to be thankful for what you have. Don't worry, I'm not going to turn into a God-botherer! I'm just relieved I got her back.

 

*Yeah right, as if anything ever does.

[myglaren]

<..shitty & worrying stuff that could happen to any of us..>

 

100 shiters could Paypal £2 each. I'd be happy to contribute to one of our own.

I'm in. Where do I sign?

 

Me too

[M'coli]

I'm in too, but if we do it for Eddy, why not someone else too?

[Mr Lobster]

Count me in too.

[The Moog]

Me too ..

[Cavcraft]

Count me in, but not until the weekend.

[Lankytim]

Me too! someome PM me the paypal addy!

[eddyramrod]

I'm in too, but if we do it for Eddy, why not someone else too?

 

Exactly, I don't want to set some kind of precedent here. There's quite enough charity-overload going on without adopting individual Shiters.

 

Although, don't get me wrong, if Barrow Tea Fund does happen I WILL be insanely grateful.

Look, I remember all the good wishes you guys sent me when Mrs R was in hospital, I know I'm surrounded by Good Blokes. Just knowing that is heartening, believe me. I've also had some help from what you might call real-life friends over here, but it's like aerosolling over rust. Makes things look better, but not for very long.

 

And again, for those who have offered... THANK YOU.

[ruffgeezer]

Well I gotta say, I don't know you Mr Ramrod, but as long as it wouldn't offend, I'd be happy to contribute towards the kitty...

 

Can we have an AS field trip so we can repatriate Eddy's Shite?

[Tayne]

I'd give you you quid Eddy.

 

Kinda hope there's coffee as well as tea in Barrow...

[eddyramrod]

Kinda hope there's coffee as well as tea in Barrow...

 

Fear not, I never drink tea! I only keep it in for Mrs R and visitors, so yes, there will be coffee, though not of a standard suitable for connoisseurs... Soft drinks also, depending on season; and there will always be biscuits/chocolate/possibly cakes, I have a very sweet tooth!

 

Field trip? You'll be most welcome (no "guest" facilities, but plenty of hotels) but I have no intention of repatriating any of the present fleet. It isn't just about the money, I simply don't love them enough, with the possible exception of the A40. I do know of a couple of cars I would like to bring back, which remains a possibility...

[Guest]

Skills.

 

Skills, that also pay the bills.