Don't Kill Snails with Salt ... Creme Eggs & Toasted Teacakes ... Biscuits & Bench Stories, Life, the Universe, & Everything! Showing 8,351-8,400 of 9,227

[Craig White]

absolutely. great to hear from you, Suzy, gie it laldy, hen!

[Craig White]

and anyhoo, i saw the future of mankind last night, and it wasn't pretty! from our window we can see the public bin/dogshit receptacle across the road. we saw two young boys (8-10ish) behaving strangely - each had their whole arm in the bin to grab bags of dogshit to throw at each other! is this a sign of the great regression? i mean chimpanzees throw shit at each other! what can you say?

[Isabella]

Tech XXIII wrote: "and anyhoo, i saw the future of mankind last night, and it wasn't pretty! from our window we can see the public bin/dogshit receptacle across the road. we saw two young boys (8-10ish) behaving stra..."

And what do you imagine their parents had to say? Assuming that their aim was accurate, I imagine that something stuck ...

[Blastronaut]

Good to see ya back Suze

[Blastronaut]

Am trying to think of summat funny to say re the shitbin thing but all I can think of is how I'd react if our youngest waltzed in covered in dog-droppings. Would like to think he'd not dream of getting involved in such shenanigans but ya never know for 100% certain. Ah well, at least they're actually in bags now (the droppings not the kids) in contrast to when I was that age and said waste was almost everywhere you went. No bins and certainly no bags.
Dunno whether to be happy for evolution with (the disposal of) doggy droppings or to despair at the devolution in kids' ideas of recreation. I mean shit - err, maybe not the best word to express my exasperation (wow looks like I swallowed the dictionary today eh?) - as kids, we used to play Star Wars with gun-shaped pieces of wood and the likes and be content!
Ok, we'd knock on folks' doors n run away but who hasn't done that? Used to call it 'Knock-a-door-run' so we did. Thinking about it now, we did a few worse things than that - proper little shits (there's that word again) if I'm to be honest - but.... we WERE at times content to just play Star Wars.

To be totally honest I'd be mortified if I found out our youngest was getting up to some of the things I did as a kid, and be equally, no more, mortified if I found any of his older siblings to be getting up to stuff I did as a young adult!! A case of do as I say not as I did.

Thank God for 'Edit' cos I must've made at least 20 errors while writing the above.

[Serial]

Blastronaut wrote: "Am trying to think of summat funny to say re the shitbin thing but all I can think of is how I'd react if our youngest waltzed in covered in dog-droppings. Would like to think he'd not dream of get..."

Ha, yes. Me too, I'd be horrified if my kids got up to much of the stuff I did.
And boy am I grateful my childhood and teenage years were absent of mobile phones :0

[Blastronaut]

Good point there Serial, I mean phones back then.... the term 'prank' comes straight to mind. And there was always somebody daft enough to be the star of said prank. Think Jackass on a whim without any more than five mins of planning. Always was there somebody available who revelled in making an utter tw@ of themselves for the amusement of others. I remember one dude stripping off on a warm (it wasn't boiling hot) day and standing on the path right next to a large puddle in the road, egging on drivers to give him a shower, albeit a mucky one. He got one... and then some. He did many things did this particular character but not many that are fit to write about on here.

[Val]

I hope Duke doesn't mind me posting this update which he posted on his own forum:

Hello folks, how is everybody?

I'm doing okay myself, still chugging away through the chemo stuff, the folks in the know have changed the dosage again, thus i'm not getting zonked out as much now. I'm nearly there, just another week or so to go, i think. The regular blood and fluid samples tests have all come back negative still..so looks like i'll be off the hook soon. Fingers & toes crossed, touching lots of wood and the odd prayer (sort of!) things might be on the up for me soon. I've had the pep talk about the possibility (and probability) on the chances of it returning, but nowt one can do about that, i'll just have to deal with it then, if it happens, hopefully not.

In the meantime....my woes with all things electrical continues. I am so on the way to developing a loathing for anything with a silicon chip in it, however useful they maybe....when they work that is!

That laptop i bought last month, turned out to be dud after all. The laptop works just fine, and looks impressive with it's 17'' screen, but alas has a charging fault. I did get it returned at their cost for inspection and correction (as they were keen to help resolve the issue...then, so i gave them the opportunity to do so), since their feedback is very good, so had no ill feelings with them at that point. They sent the item back the next day after they received it, and the first thing i did was to plug it in and see if it would charge up...it didn't. In fact, the only difference that could make out, is that the power indicator light on the charger now stays on when plugged to the laptop, which previously it went out as it was being plugged in. But no charge still. Clearly, there is a fault either with the charger or with something internal in the laptop. Sent another message stating the issue on Good Friday, and requested that i wish to return it and have a full refund....and whadya know, not heard a thing. I was aware of the bank holiday weekend just gone, so waited a few days after then, but still nothing.

They could be busy, and their ebay feedback is pretty good (they've even left replies to the only two negative ones they had, and both of those weren't recent), so dunno.....don't think they're trying to ignore me, but since i've yet to leave feedback on their ebay account, thus i sent another message. This time a wee bit on the sterner side, outlining my request and ended it with - DO NOT IGNORE ME! I've yet to leave feedback, thus if no response is received VERY soon, it won't be a glowing one!

Yours sincerely, Duke.

Let's see if that provokes a suitable reaction!

Oh and i did include something about opening a resolution case as well, just for good measure! It's going back one way or another, and i will have my money too!! That's the last time i'm putting my faith in recons, clearly not worth the hassle. Mum has offered to go halves on a new one, so we're now scouting around for something suitable.

In the meantime, this lil' wee tablet is all i've got to work with, which had charging issues of it's own (won't take a charge from the main's usb lead), but an £12 investment in a wee powerbank charger has proved to be a good one....it does what the mains cannot! Never had a powerbank before, which if you're not familiar with them, is essentially a portable rechargable battery pack for Li-Po powered tablets and phones. It's about the only electronical device i've been impressed with in recent months!

Anyhoo...it's gorgeous early spring day out there, i'll be soaking up some UV rays and give me a much needed Vit D shot, for i have spent rather a lot of time inside of late, mainly in bed feeling a bit groggy from the influence of medicinal drugs!

Have a good one folks.

[Post Soviet]

Ok, news I didn't want to share at first. Two days ago buried our cat Barsik (white one on picture) in back garden. There was a knock on the door at 06.00 AM Friday morning, saw grim looking neighbour holding our cat wrapped in a towell (let him out out two hours before, Cat I mean). No bruises or bite marks, looked peaceful. Probably died of poisoning or health issues, he had some, was on drugs, plus his 12 years of age.
Needless to say me and wife feel like orphans now.

[Craig White]

ah, sorry to hear that, Soviet, Rainbow Bridge seems to be a busy place these days! feel your pain.

[Anita]

oh I'm so sorry I hear that Soviet,such a loss when they go.

[Blastronaut]

Sorry to hear that Post. I found a new appreciation for cats after our daughter got a couple. Never disliked cats (and certainly could never hurt one or any animal) before but was a bit indifferent to em, as they so often seemed to be to me, but I've learnt since that that was just a mate's particular cats being generally unpleasant and they were the only ones I came in contact with. Would hate not to be able to go see Daughter's moggies now. I nip round there just to see the cats sometimes but Miss B Junior is ok with that.

Can only echo Tech's words. I feel your pain dude...

[Val]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Post. He looked a lovely cat and they make such inroads in your heart. Best wishes to you and Mrs Post.

[Collette]

Really sorry for your loss, Post. My Sister Tracy phoned in tears on Tuesday morning. Her wee cat Larsson had just died in her arms. He was almost 19, yet had seemed fine the night before. 🌈🐱

[Helen The Melon]

Post Soviet wrote: "Ok, news I didn't want to share at first. Two days ago buried our cat Barsik (white one on picture) in back garden. There was a knock on the door at 06.00 AM Friday morning, saw grim looking neighb..."

So sorry to hear your sad news. Big hug to you & Mrs PS. X

[Post Soviet]

Thanks everyone for response & understanding. Cat was born same year I joined zon music forumers. oh well.

[Blastronaut]

Over last couple of weeks during walks with Dust I've noticed the odd female smiling at me and, well, it kinda puts a spring in yer step a bit, especially when yer not a young un anymore. Thought to meself, 'Must be the haircut* that's taken a few years off me or something. Then a couple of days ago while out with D, in the space of about just five mins I had two women (the first in a car at a junction!) say "Love your dog" and "Good looking dog" and then the penny dropped.... it's the dog they're all flirting with!!! Bloody charming. Couldn't get through the door upon arriving back home, his head was that big.

* - selfie of the mutt and meself amongst my pics displays said hair-job (cut AND dyed).... for what it's worth. Tbh, I don't think anyone who I mentioned it to previously thought I was gonna go through with it, considering my long locks had been present for most of this century.

[Blastronaut]

Feels like I've fell into the Twilight Zone or summat. Will maybe explain next time... if anyone whatsoever (whosoever?) is interested. Now I shall make like a tree...

[Collette]

Blastronaut wrote: "Over last couple of weeks during walks with Dust I've noticed the odd female smiling at me and, well, it kinda puts a spring in yer step a bit, especially when yer not a young un anymore. Thought t..."

Nothing like being brought back down to Earth with a bang, Blastro. 😆😆

[Blastronaut]

Very true Collette. Teach me for getting a tad smug. : )

[Blastronaut]

Really dodgy sun today. Freezing in the house (tho I am ill with something) but going outside with Dust it was baking this morning in a weird way. I mean it was like smog, without the smell... or the smog!! Pretty hard to explain. Sun was kinda burning through the cloud cover. Maybe I was having some bizarre flashback or summat. Just felt so damn odd. The skies were dark with rain that never came. Only respite was from a breeze that also somehow felt out of place. Pretty sure it was nowt to do with the Smashing Super Fantastic Blood Moon - or whatever - of last night.

[Blastronaut]

And just as I typed that... it's started to rain! Several hours after it blew up!! Gotta be a serious lightning/thunder show to come here surely.

That sets someone up for an Airplane quip...

[Val]

Good luck with your weird weather Blastro. We had a day of drizzly rain yesterday but today has dawned bright, sunny and cold - well 10 degrees is cold for me. I may do some gardening today - or maybe not!

[nocheese]

Some sad news for those of us who remember that far back. Steven May, known on the old Zon forums as Toffeeman, died on 7 May. He was an active member of The Sunshine Club on Facebook, where many ex-zonners hang out exchanging music and banter. He had been ill and was admitted to hospital at the end of April with a clot on his lung. Typically, he underplayed it. Today would have been his 65th birthday.

[Blastronaut]

nocheese wrote: "Some sad news for those of us who remember that far back. Steven May, known on the old Zon forums as Toffeeman, died on 7 May. He was an active member of The Sunshine Club on Facebook, where many e..."

Until I read that last line I was thinking 'Good grief he's not very old' and tho a tad older than I thought, it's still no age really. Never had exchanged much more than the odd hello back on zon but yeah I remember him. Everton supporter, hence the name 'Toffeeman'
RIP Toffee

[Val]

nocheese wrote: "Some sad news for those of us who remember that far back. Steven May, known on the old Zon forums as Toffeeman, died on 7 May. He was an active member of The Sunshine Club on Facebook, where many e..."

Very sorry to hear this news nc. I well remember his contributions in the early days of Zon and he was on Mark Kibble's mailing list when we all used to do compilation CDs for the PPUs. Sad news indeed.

[Anita]

Very sad news about Steven.

[Blastronaut]

The Twilight Zone! I know nobody asked what I meant by that but... I'm gonna tell yous anyway. Of course I am.

Over this last month or two, I've notice three (THREE!) people who live on this road - none more than a few houses/flats away either side - who've suddenly just stopped talking to me. Won't even look me in the eyes! They'll even go as far as taking a different path home if I'm coming towards em. So what, you might think, but these people were talking to me before. I know a couple of em on a 'hello' and the odd conversation basis but the third I know pretty well. Partied with him a few times back in the 90s and he always makes a fuss. Suddenly nothing! None of em live in the same house either. What does piss me off a tad is the latter has stopped speaking to J too. WTF?
Now I'm a friendly chap. I don't ass-kiss and that hasn't gone well with some folk in the past but that don't mean I'm unpleasant. I just don't tolerate bullies or thieves and have little time for em. None of these fit that description in any case. Have done/said absolutely nowt that'd bother these people.

Looks like a couple of (formerly friendly) posters on here have also distanced themselves too.

Just to clarify a couple of things: this is not something keeping me awake at night and I have much more important things to be stressing about. Also, this is NOT a case of shaking the forum tree to see if any enemies topple out. That's a thing made of (at least part) paranoia. This is not. Besides, enemies never topple from the branches anyway. Just a case of... Twilight Zone, y'know, or one of those flicks where the protagonist awakes from a coma but his/her friends/colleagues claim not to know he or she.

Anyone else experienced such weirdness? I mean human beings are funny buggers at times and the odd person can be pig-ignorant one day and fine the next but more than that all at once...?

For the record, all in question are (I think) older than me. Not that that should provide any clues.

[Val]

I can't think of why this should have happened to you Blastro in the circumstances you describe but I don't think it's uncommon, especially among older folk for some reason. I was very friendly with a woman who just stopped communicating - in her case, there was a reason: the sudden death of her oldest daughter. She just chose to carry on on a different path. Another couple who have been friends of ours since the early 70s - we went to their wedding, we put them up when they too immigrated to Australia, we've visited and caught up many times despite living at opposite ends of the country - suddenly nothing. Letters, cards, phone calls - nothing. I've even checked obituaries to see if one/both of them has died, but nothing. Another friend has reported similar cases of longstanding friends who just stop. In your case, I would continue to greet them and be as nice as pie, you might wear them down. Then you can decide whether being civil is sufficient or do you really want to cultivate their acquaintance.

[Isabella]

A while ago, (pre pandemic) we had a somewhat similar experience. A couple we had socialised with over the course of several years just stopped wanting to meet up. They refused some suggested outings, just said hello if we saw them and hurried off. A year or so later, they seemed to thaw and engaged in chats and exchanging books/cds again but we didn't suggest any outings partly out of nervousness. Covid stopped that possibility, anyway. Still friendly with them but still don't know what led to the long cool gap ...

[Serial]

Blastronaut wrote: "The Twilight Zone! I know nobody asked what I meant by that but... I'm gonna tell yous anyway. Of course I am.

Over this last month or two, I've notice three (THREE!) people who live on this road ..."

Prob got some shit going on in their lives, don't take it personally.

[Helen The Melon]

Blastronaut wrote: "The Twilight Zone! I know nobody asked what I meant by that but... I'm gonna tell yous anyway. Of course I am.

Over this last month or two, I've notice three (THREE!) people who live on this road ..."


Maybe it's the new hairdo? ;-) Perhaps they don't recognize you anymore or just find it scary!!*

* No offence intended.

[Post Soviet]

Have you watched The 6th Sense, Blastro? Just a thought...
'0)

[Post Soviet]

...or something to do with the open zip (very Brassy response).

[Blastronaut]

We're a strange bunch aren't we? Human beings I mean, not us on here. Glad (well, not glad for your experiences but to hear others have also had 'The Twilight Zone Effect') to find it's not just me then. When your paranoia has become somewhat hardwired it's easy to jump to conclusions. Y'know you lot are like my councillors or some such. Do appreciate all the input, even taking into account the hairdo coulda just freaked em right out or I'm doing a Bruce Willis and have left this mortal coil without realizing it. : )

Have been going with the 'Sod em, if they don't wanna so much as acknowledge me, that's their lookout' policy but on a not-so-good day it's easy to get wound up. Suppose I can grab one of em by the scruff of the neck and shout into their face "YOU WILL SPEAK TO ME! IN FACT KISS MY FEET TO ATONE FOR YOUR SINS!!" but something tells me that's not the way to go.

[Blastronaut]

And just to clarify my position on thieves - I'm talking mainly about the bastards that burgle people's houses and such. Don't wanna be a hypocrite and so shall admit that in the past I've not been above 'collecting' scrap (usually cables to be stripped for 'Bright' copper) from derelict buildings in my time, and I only did that a few times. Actually have a seven stitch scar above my top lip to prove it but that's another story.
Was a bit of a bugger back in the day but even now I don't see a bit of scrapping as in the same ball-park as doing over someone's house or TWOC-ing their car. So to be clear - I despise almost all thieves and certainly all bullies. Err.... as you were.

[Anita]

I think with regard to the unusual behaviour of your neighbours,as mentioned above you don't know what's been going on with them recently,I would just continue to say hi when you see them,also can someone tell me what TWOCing a car is?

[Isabella]

Anita wrote: "I think with regard to the unusual behaviour of your neighbours,as mentioned above you don't know what's been going on with them recently,I would just continue to say hi when you see them,also can ..."

TWOC = Taking With Out Consent, (nicking it).

[Blastronaut]

Ah, Isabella knows her apples.

Anita - TWOC was a term the police used way back in the day and so, it filtered on down to the streets. Dunno if they still use the term these days and as I don't watch the many 'real life' cop shows on TV - where they arrest someone for having a gram of pot in their pocket* - I'm not up on current lingo. Neither am I 'Down with the kids' as one of our lads tells me. Apparently he talks totally differently outside than he does in the house.

*For the record - no I'm not a pot smoker, but I may have indulged many many years ago 90-92. The amount I've smoked since then would hardly be enough to build a joint with! Just stopped suiting me. I simply think it's ridiculous, not to mention a waste of time and money, to drag someone into the station over a two-or-three spliffs. Much more important things for the cops to do. Just my opinion is all.

[Blastronaut]

Every now n again I try to give this thread a nudge y'know, and post a 'Hour In My Life' kinda thing like Suze was doing, tho admittedly she was better at it than I. A little like keeping her seat warm for her perhaps? Thing is, I'm assuming Suze wants this thread to live. Maybe she doesn't?
If you read this Suze, let me know either here or by message. If not I shall message her and ask.

[nocheese]

Well done Blastro! I’m sure suzy appreciates you keeping her seat warm fr her .

[Blastronaut]

Thanks NC. I just didn't wanna appear to be trying to annex Suze's seat. Yep, just warm it every now n again 'till she's ready to return.

[Isabella]

No harm in that, Blastro. I, for one, enjoy your posts. One of the things that I really like about the forum is that we're all so clearly different and yet there's no room for any petty annoyances.We may be few but we're great! 😉

[Blastronaut]

Nice one Isabella. Was thinking that very thing t'other day - how many of us seem to have different (perhaps drastically in some cases?) backgrounds and no doubt some of us have differing politics, religion and such yet.... we come on here and and whatever differences there may be just don't matter. In fact I think maybe there's some things to learn from each other even. Bugger, I didn't mean that to sound that corny. I know what I meant.
Look at the huge gulf in musical tastes and in some cases footie teams on the forum. But Saul Goodman. Sorry couldn't resist that... and if you never watched Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul, yer now thinking 'What on earth he is blabbing about?" : ) At risk of more corniness, many times it does me a dose of good coming on here. A brief escape from the snake-pit of life I'm gonna say but tbh I am stuck with a default setting of pessimism when it comes to the world in general. Nobody's out to do down anyone else here. No ulterior motives.
After spending only minimal time with this place for quite a while I find meself slowly getting more involved. Of course there's many reasons as to why someone might not spend as much time on here - real life being the main one - but the more folk interact, the more interest I take. We seem to've lost a few overboard and others just about hanging onto the stern with their fingertips but it would be a damn shame if this thing we have here just melted away.

Oh sheet, not put in my AFL punt yet. Val'll have me guts fer garters! : )

[Anita]

well said Isabella,also thanks for the info .

[TheFoe]

Blastronaut wrote: "Nice one Isabella. Was thinking that very thing t'other day - how many of us seem to have different (perhaps drastically in some cases?) backgrounds and no doubt some of us have differing politics,..."

Hi Blastro Seem like a while since we had a chat, hope you're good your end?

I heard this song and thought you might like it, Helen also maybe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_rX_...

[Isabella]

Anita wrote: "well said Isabella,also thanks for the info ."

You're welcome, Anita. It says something about some of the stuff I read, as I'm not a joy rider or in the police ...

(Mostly crime and fantasy, with a touch of magic realism, although to be honest, I think the lines between the genres are a bit blurred at times).

[Blastronaut]

Don't mind that tune Foe and gotta say it makes a nice change from a lot of the EDM that's been thrown around for a few years now. Wouldn't have a clue what sub-genre it fits into tho.

Good to hear from ya anyways dude. Will message you in the near future, have a bit of a catch-up.

[Blastronaut]

Isabella - in between Stephen King books, I too like to read a little crime fiction. Have not picked up a book for around eighteen months or so; I go through stages where concentration levels are that poor that I sit through reruns of twenty year old soaps like Corro and such for an hour or so a day (time that would normally be spent with a decent book) that require zero focus, but yeah I do like to mix up my horror with a bit of crime when I'm more 'on the ball' shall we say.
D'ya have any particular writers you favour, be it crime, fantasy or whatever?

[Val]

Love crime fiction! Mostly British, although I still like Sue Grafton's books set in the fictional Californian town of Santa Teresa and Donna Leon is American though her books are set in Venice. Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves are two of my favourites; also Ian Rankin, Ruth Rendell and Minette Walters. And a big plug for Australian crime writers like Peter Temple, Garry Disher, Jane Harper, Geoffrey McGeachin and I'll also make a claim for Dervla McTiernan. I'm not into horror, fantasy or magic so can't add anything on those genres.