My thanks for sympathy above! It's aching slightly less today and getting a phone call from my younger granddaughter yesterday evening to say she has jjust had her 12-week scan on her and her partner's first child put a wide smile on my face!
Much sympathy from me for aching teeth, sinus pain and PITA senators. (We have two of those here.)
Also, CTH whoever the scumbag was that scammed my mom. Somehow they got her SS number and ordered a Very Expensive Cell Phone and charged it to her. After hours of calling and driving to stores, then finally getting someone from the fraud division, it is all sorted. Well, except for having to call ALL the credit bureaus to make sure there is no other fraudulent activity. And, I CT Heaven, Jessica, who helped immensely and let me know how much more serious (potentially) this could be, other than just the scam.
May the scammer(s) be found somehow, and deposited under a prison.
Not good, functioning roofs of course, but old, patched-together roofs that suddenly require re-felting and re-battening (mercifully the tiles are okay) when the chap who was going to replace the rainwater goods put his ladder up against the end of the house - and an Enormous chunk of masonry fell off and landed in the lane
So we now have two enormous scaffolding towers at the back of the house, and stacks of tiles *everywhere* and the prospect of further roofers clog-dancing* on the roof as they replace said tiles this morning (Saturday)
* As we were somewhat stressed yesterday afternoon, Mr S put some Blowzabella on to cheer us up. Unfortunately this just meant we had two lots of clog-dancing to contend with...
TICTH the incessant East Wind, which (despite the Sun Shine) makes it far too chilly to spend much time on deck. I'd like to start some painting (on the lee side, away from the wind), but there's a lot of Dust flying about on account of the ongoing Drought.
The boatyard where the Ark is moored is like unto Kadath in ye Cold Waste, or ye Plateau of Leng (where dwelleth ye High Priest Not To Be Described).
It's getting sunnier here, too, but (as you say) far too cold and windy for BBQs.
I feel a bit sorry for those pubs which have been able to open to al fresco revellers...not exactly the day to spend in a draughty garden, even if it does have a gazebo.
Well, as it's every TrueBlue Englishman's God-given right to go Dahn (or Up) the Pub, I suppose one ought to be glad to hear that people are exercising that right.
TICTH watch-straps that break on a day when you can't get them replaced.
TI also CTH Lothian Buses (again): their extensions of services to accommodate more people going back to work don’t appear to include the 37 (there's a surprise!); and the only travel hub they're opening up for buying Ridacards (bus passes paid by direct debit) is not the one I actually know how to get to.
Trampolines and basketball hoops.
One or the other was in almost continuous use next door to us from just after 1pm till nearly 8pm today.
I am hoping for a lot of wet weekends until we manage to move house, but at present there’s almost no rain forecast.
TICTH my Hewlett Packard laptop - Windows 10 with all the trimmings - which is being so v e r y s l o w that I have resorted to a much older Toshiba with Windows 7 (!).
TICTH my Hewlett Packard laptop - Windows 10 with all the trimmings - which is being so v e r y s l o w that I have resorted to a much older Toshiba with Windows 7 (!).
Perhaps the HP needs some sort of TLC...?
Is it permanent? My Lenovo PC with W7 has developed the habit of taking an afternoon nap, and all but freezes for an hour or so. Then it gets up, shakes itself, and carries on. I do something quite similar.
TICTH my Hewlett Packard laptop - Windows 10 with all the trimmings - which is being so v e r y s l o w that I have resorted to a much older Toshiba with Windows 7 (!).
Perhaps the HP needs some sort of TLC...?
Is it permanent? My Lenovo PC with W7 has developed the habit of taking an afternoon nap, and all but freezes for an hour or so. Then it gets up, shakes itself, and carries on. I do something quite similar.
It seems to be permanent at the moment, IYSWIM.
It's only just happened - a few days ago - but there seems no obvious reason for it. It sometimes acts more slowly when there is more traffic on the Magic Electric Interweb, but that's perhaps to be expected.
I might run System Restore, and see if that helps...
Let me strongly urge you to get your systems checked out, or at the very least, to make sure your backups are current. Mine had similar but much more minor symptoms which wound up in a spectacular hard drive crash which lost me about six months work and required posting the thing across country, and forking over 1300 dollars, to resurrect. (My backup system failed.)
Mr S has an old-ish laptop which we use for Zoom calls, and he has been condemning it to the Nether Regions for seemingly choosing to run interminable Windows updates at exactly the wrong moment...
My laptop seems to run them at night, so I am never aware of them, but apparently there is a way of setting Active Hours, during which updates Are Not Permitted. Clearly that only helps if you leave the laptop plugged in during the Inactive Hours, otherwise the updates never get done!
There is a new version of Windows 10 out, meaning Windows 10 1909 will no longer work from next month. I've been getting messages that I need to change for months but it has been staggered it was only last week that the update happened so I could access the new version. Then I had all the updates since it started. (I tend to install as I shut down.)
Mr S has an old-ish laptop which we use for Zoom calls, and he has been condemning it to the Nether Regions for seemingly choosing to run interminable Windows updates at exactly the wrong moment...
My laptop seems to run them at night, so I am never aware of them, but apparently there is a way of setting Active Hours, during which updates Are Not Permitted. Clearly that only helps if you leave the laptop plugged in during the Inactive Hours, otherwise the updates never get done!
I think you've found the problem!
Yes, the said laptop is usually unplugged during the Inactive Hours - I have now reduced those hours - and Update History shows multiple failures to install the latest update...
The fiery pit seems the appropriate destination for the "low battery" signal on smoke/heat alarms. Ours started beeping every 40 seconds from about 2am, I did not get back to a proper sleep, just into the occasional brief doze. Mr RoS was not disturbed at all, and had to have breakfast before attending to it.
Looking forward to my afternoon nap.
The fiery pit seems the appropriate destination for the "low battery" signal on smoke/heat alarms. Ours started beeping every 40 seconds from about 2am, I did not get back to a proper sleep, just into the occasional brief doze. Mr RoS was not disturbed at all, and had to have breakfast before attending to it.
Looking forward to my afternoon nap.
I vaguely remember (from a work training course maybe a quarter of a century ago) being told that batteries tend to start reading as low when they get cold - and one of the times when they get cold is in the middle of the night. Which is why the smoke alarm chose to whinge at you when it did.
1909 will still work. It just won't get security updates.
I think this particular laptop is still on whatever came before 1909! I brought it out of limbo a while ago, blithely forgetting about updates...
They said it would take a while - after three hours, and several aborted attempts (*Something seems to have gone wrong - try again?*) - it's about 11% done...
My wife's can take for ever, always (naturally) at the worst possible time.
Mine has a solid state drive but even it isn't always quick.
Your problem is, I think, loads of updates plus old computer!
Indeed it is, although progress is being made.
Slowly...
Meanwhile, I've improved the shining hour by updating Laptop 3 (Windows 8.1, I think).
I was under the impression that it had died some considerable time ago, but all that was needed was a new battery (£20 from Mr E Bay). 79 updates have duly been installed, and all is well.
I, too, have had a chirping smoke alarm for some time, and it did seem to be cold that set it off. If it wasn't the middle of the night when it started, re-setting it seemed to do the trick, but of course that means it does the full alarm noise for a moment until it shuts up.
I, too, have had a chirping smoke alarm for some time, and it did seem to be cold that set it off. If it wasn't the middle of the night when it started, re-setting it seemed to do the trick, but of course that means it does the full alarm noise for a moment until it shuts up.
That, and vacuuming it, seemed to work with the smoke alarm in the hall, but the heat alarm in the kitchen kept on beeping until we replaced the battery - which, of course, we did not have until Mr RS went out and bought one (actually two, ready for when the one in the smoke alarm needs replacing).
TICTH watch-straps that break on a day when you can't get them replaced.
It's become impossible to find anyone round here who will replace a watch strap for a sensible price. So I bought a tool from Amazon for a modest price, and now replace my own. It's a bit fiddly keeping the spring compressed while you lever the little knobs in to position, but it's doable by anyone with reasonable use of their hands.
1909 will still work. It just won't get security updates.
...and probably won't be allowed to join @Curiosity killed's corporate network. If it's not allowed on the network, that's pretty close to "won't work".
We used to change watch straps with just a penknife, we had a lot of practice (my parents sold the damn things). My problem is finding any that allow me to keep the nasty itchy nickel off my skin and that are small enough to fit my wrist without looking childish (because kid's sizing is all good with me). I have a working watch and a just about functional strap, but I need to replace it sometime soon. I can see I'm going to end up making a strap.
I managed to get a strap fitted for about £10; I think the last time I had one done was in Canada, where I think it cost about $20 (about £12 at the time).
I tend to write off such things as necessary expenditure: I can't do without a watch, so if it breaks, it must be mended or replaced.
There are two key cutter shops near us that replace watch straps. I’m pretty sure both of them charge less than £10, including the cost of the strap, but it’s a while since I needed it done so I may have misremembered.
I went through a stage where I couldn't wear wristwatches - they just stopped, or otherwise didn't tell the right time. A watchmender friend of my mum's took the watch apart, and told us: "The watch is fine. It's her!"
So now I use an old-fashioned pocket watch.
I wear a watch with a Velcro fastening strap. They were all the rage a few years ago, but more difficult to find now.
My last one was from Abergavenny market, but I think it was a man’s strap, as it was a bit too loose. This one came from Hereford market a fortnight ago, and is much better.
Both cost less than a tenner, including fitting.
I went through a stage where I couldn't wear wristwatches - they just stopped, or otherwise didn't tell the right time. A watchmender friend of my mum's took the watch apart, and told us: "The watch is fine. It's her!"
So now I use an old-fashioned pocket watch.
You're not alone! My late father had the same problem. I've found that expensive/"luxury" watches just die on my wrist. The solution that works is for me to buy a really cheap (T**ex or similar) boys waterproof watch - they work just fine. Oh, and for years I wore a Snoopy watch with Woodstock as the second hand - caused raised eyebrows at meetings 🤣
Mine was from Timpson's, a branch of which is in the same building as my flat, so fine and handy.
I was a bit heartbroken when my favourite watch - which had designs based on Rennie Mackintosh designs in it - decided to give up the ghost just after David died, like My Grandfather's Clock.
Sadly, I don't - the last time but one I had the battery replaced, the watchmaker said the watch probably wouldn't last much longer. She didn't explain why; it had never occurred to me that you couldn't just keep replacing batteries indefinitely. I'd had the watch for over 20 years, so I don't suppose it owed me anything.
I used David's old watch for a while, although it was a bit big and chunky for me, and when its battery died (during the first lockdown when nowhere was open) I bought a cheapie from the interweb, which is the one in question.
I might treat myself to a nice new one now that the shops are open again though.
TICTH pneumonia (mine) and sinus infections (my son's) which prevent COVID vaccinations (or so I expect). Also medical phonetrees (theirs) which prevent help (anybody's) from reaching me (damnit) so I can figure out what to do next. Fucka-doodle-doo.
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Also, CTH whoever the scumbag was that scammed my mom. Somehow they got her SS number and ordered a Very Expensive Cell Phone and charged it to her. After hours of calling and driving to stores, then finally getting someone from the fraud division, it is all sorted. Well, except for having to call ALL the credit bureaus to make sure there is no other fraudulent activity. And, I CT Heaven, Jessica, who helped immensely and let me know how much more serious (potentially) this could be, other than just the scam.
May the scammer(s) be found somehow, and deposited under a prison.
Not good, functioning roofs of course, but old, patched-together roofs that suddenly require re-felting and re-battening (mercifully the tiles are okay) when the chap who was going to replace the rainwater goods put his ladder up against the end of the house - and an Enormous chunk of masonry fell off and landed in the lane
So we now have two enormous scaffolding towers at the back of the house, and stacks of tiles *everywhere* and the prospect of further roofers clog-dancing* on the roof as they replace said tiles this morning (Saturday)
* As we were somewhat stressed yesterday afternoon, Mr S put some Blowzabella on to cheer us up. Unfortunately this just meant we had two lots of clog-dancing to contend with...
The boatyard where the Ark is moored is like unto Kadath in ye Cold Waste, or ye Plateau of Leng (where dwelleth ye High Priest Not To Be Described).
Nyarlathotep help us...
I feel a bit sorry for those pubs which have been able to open to al fresco revellers...not exactly the day to spend in a draughty garden, even if it does have a gazebo.
Boris will be pleased. Hail Boris!
TI also CTH Lothian Buses (again): their extensions of services to accommodate more people going back to work don’t appear to include the 37 (there's a surprise!); and the only travel hub they're opening up for buying Ridacards (bus passes paid by direct debit) is not the one I actually know how to get to.
One or the other was in almost continuous use next door to us from just after 1pm till nearly 8pm today.
I am hoping for a lot of wet weekends until we manage to move house, but at present there’s almost no rain forecast.
Perhaps the HP needs some sort of TLC...?
Is it permanent? My Lenovo PC with W7 has developed the habit of taking an afternoon nap, and all but freezes for an hour or so. Then it gets up, shakes itself, and carries on. I do something quite similar.
It seems to be permanent at the moment, IYSWIM.
It's only just happened - a few days ago - but there seems no obvious reason for it. It sometimes acts more slowly when there is more traffic on the Magic Electric Interweb, but that's perhaps to be expected.
I might run System Restore, and see if that helps...
I'm checking on updates etc., and also running scans, to make sure there's nothing nasty lurking...
Meanwhile, a clean-up scan, and System Restore, seem to have improved matters a bit...
My laptop seems to run them at night, so I am never aware of them, but apparently there is a way of setting Active Hours, during which updates Are Not Permitted. Clearly that only helps if you leave the laptop plugged in during the Inactive Hours, otherwise the updates never get done!
I think you've found the problem!
Yes, the said laptop is usually unplugged during the Inactive Hours - I have now reduced those hours - and Update History shows multiple failures to install the latest update...
...so Today is, hopefully, Installation Day.
Thanks again for the helpful advice!
Looking forward to my afternoon nap.
I vaguely remember (from a work training course maybe a quarter of a century ago) being told that batteries tend to start reading as low when they get cold - and one of the times when they get cold is in the middle of the night. Which is why the smoke alarm chose to whinge at you when it did.
I think this particular laptop is still on whatever came before 1909! I brought it out of limbo a while ago, blithely forgetting about updates...
They said it would take a while - after three hours, and several aborted attempts (*Something seems to have gone wrong - try again?*) - it's about 11% done...
Mine has a solid state drive but even it isn't always quick.
Your problem is, I think, loads of updates plus old computer!
Indeed it is, although progress is being made.
Slowly...
Meanwhile, I've improved the shining hour by updating Laptop 3 (Windows 8.1, I think).
I was under the impression that it had died some considerable time ago, but all that was needed was a new battery (£20 from Mr E Bay). 79 updates have duly been installed, and all is well.
It's become impossible to find anyone round here who will replace a watch strap for a sensible price. So I bought a tool from Amazon for a modest price, and now replace my own. It's a bit fiddly keeping the spring compressed while you lever the little knobs in to position, but it's doable by anyone with reasonable use of their hands.
...and probably won't be allowed to join @Curiosity killed's corporate network. If it's not allowed on the network, that's pretty close to "won't work".
I tend to write off such things as necessary expenditure: I can't do without a watch, so if it breaks, it must be mended or replaced.
So now I use an old-fashioned pocket watch.
My last one was from Abergavenny market, but I think it was a man’s strap, as it was a bit too loose. This one came from Hereford market a fortnight ago, and is much better.
Both cost less than a tenner, including fitting.
You're not alone! My late father had the same problem. I've found that expensive/"luxury" watches just die on my wrist. The solution that works is for me to buy a really cheap (T**ex or similar) boys waterproof watch - they work just fine. Oh, and for years I wore a Snoopy watch with Woodstock as the second hand - caused raised eyebrows at meetings 🤣
I was a bit heartbroken when my favourite watch - which had designs based on Rennie Mackintosh designs in it - decided to give up the ghost just after David died, like My Grandfather's Clock.
I used David's old watch for a while, although it was a bit big and chunky for me, and when its battery died (during the first lockdown when nowhere was open) I bought a cheapie from the interweb, which is the one in question.
I might treat myself to a nice new one now that the shops are open again though.