Absolutely Anything Else

On the off track topic of stocking up for 6 months I can only agree and we did (in any case for our animals (they are set until May next year)), on top of that we have 300 liters of sparkling water, 100 liters of wine and 20 liters of whisky. Also our fridge has been filled with meat, quite some canned food as well as enough pasta. Of course vegetables and fruit will become a topic so perhaps I have to go once per month.
Me being a heavy smoker 400 packages of cigarettes are also part (but they do not spoil easily (I do probably)).
On the stocking up I have done this over time, but I recall receiving some negative comments on this forum in doing so. I do not have to much more to do and if worse come to worse we can already survive with current provisions until April next year.

On BD or any other holidays I do not care too much about mine. Me and my wife just declare dates to be a celebration from time to time (in these times not too often though).
By the way probably good to drive the car once per week for 10 km or so.

Medical topics are of course always playing on the background (could become difficult), it is a blessing not to be struck with serious items in normal times but especially in the upcoming 6 months. Good luck to all!

fluffy2560 wrote:

There's some good news from Brussels though...

EU court rules against Hungary's Viktor Orban over Soros university

Saw that and while I am happy over the ruling, the effect that Orban wanted -- no more CEU in Budapest -- is still the reality.  As you say, I can only hope there is some financial pain directly to Orban and his friends...

Where O1G and cronies can go, who knows, certainly nowhere around here.  Maybe Venezuela?
- As long as he has money, it seems there are places to go. O1G has been cultivating his ties with Montenegro, Turkey, Russia, and of course China... Who knows?! First step is to remove him from power...

fluffy2560 wrote:

It's Harris and Pence this evening.

Forgot about that in all this "The President has COVID but is still an a-hole" hype.

fluffy2560 wrote:

He's such a Trump Yes man, one has to wonder if he's got a mind of his own.

There is no evidence that he is a functioning adult. He claims to be such a devout Christian, then sees no problem endorsing Trump in everything from putting kids in cages to forced hysterectemies in Latina women, to not helping the poor, the meek, or really anyone.... Again, the piousness of the religious and the utter absence (or even semblance) of any morality simply stuns me... What blatant hypocrisy!

fluffy2560 wrote:

Maybe he's being controlled by Bill Gates's nanites.   His religious views are verging on delusional. Harris is adversarial - in my mind not very erudite though - so Mikey should be on the ropes fairly quickly unless he's had a personality transplant.

Don't give the 5G fanatics any more ammunition! /s
I was disappointed in the Harris pick. She is not someone to admire, just someone 1) with ovaries, 2) a certain complexion. There were far better candidates. It's a shame Joe B. can't think outside the box a bit more...

fluffy2560 wrote:

I see the gap reported is 9% in Biden's favour.  Biden should take on Trump again while he's weakened. It's politics and there's really no prisoners taken, winner takes all. If Trump stumbles then no-one should blame Biden for taking the opportunity to visibly weaken him further.

Recent polls show Biden even further ahead -- 16% in Pennsylvania, for example. I think all polls show a widening of the gap since the debate debacle and the COVID diagnosis.

fluffy2560 wrote:

One thing I am wondering is how Trump is rationalising in his mind that his showman policies may potentially killed some of his core staff at the WH.

You really give him too much credit -- Trump thinking? That lizard brain of his can't think about others...

fluffy2560 wrote:

Why not consider the Canary Islands?  Big islands and plenty of international things going on. One of my friends lived in Malta - too small for him so he now lives in the UK again.  Any island is going to be expensive as it's all imports.  Canaries are quite big though, especially Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

I did think of Malta. I want to travel there as well - it's on the list!
I want to stay in the EU. I am happy here. And I am not as rich as you and the fluffettes. I have to live off of whatever my flat sells for, minus the exchange rate into Euros. :-)

Vicces1 wrote:

,,,,,
I did think of Malta. I want to travel there as well - it's on the list!
I want to stay in the EU. I am happy here. And I am not as rich as you and the Fluffyettes. I have to live off of whatever my flat sells for, minus the exchange rate into Euros. :-)

Oy vay, us rich, I don't think so. 

If not Malta, what about Cyprus?    I worked in the North and the South is quite developed and English is one of the national languages (at least in the law it is but practically, not quite).  I thought the main shopping area in Nicosia looked like a British new town.  That's not a good thing.

Further afield, there's the Azores and Cape Verde.   If you really want to push the boat out, there's Svalbard.  But you have to be able to shoot polar bears.

Vicces1 wrote:

...
I was disappointed in the Harris pick. She is not someone to admire, just someone 1) with ovaries, 2) a certain complexion. There were far better candidates. It's a shame Joe B. can't think outside the box a bit more.......

It's clear it's entirely tactical. 

He picked her to appeal to all sorts of voters who couldn't vote for Trump or were wobbling over who they should vote for.    It might get those wavering voters down to the polling station or post office to send in their ballots.

She's got a lot going for her - smart, experienced Senator, lawyer,relatively young, somewhat more liberal, photogenic, a woman and black. 

On the other hand, I think she's also going to be abrasive and likely to rub people up the wrong way.    If she does a reasonable and even tempered job, she's got a chance at President next time.  I think Joe won't make it to two terms - either kill him or he'll just get too old.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....
Yes my hubby had a nice BD, had to prep all day  long for his Tuesday morning appointment for a colonoscopy, Great times!! He got the "all clear", what a BD gift I can come up with!

Lucky hubby.  Glad to hear he's OK.


I didn't have colonoscopy but I did have a camera down my throat into my stomach once. 

They drugged me to relax me so they could do it.   

It was one of the most relaxing experiences I've had - beautiful fantastic dreams and just really super sleep.   Best sleep I've had for years!  I can totally "recommend" it.

Mrs Fluffy said I kept mumbling that "it was like being on holiday" although she said the snoring wasn't very nice.

Apparently I was really susceptible - must have been truth serum - Mrs Fluffy should have taken the opportunity to ask me some searching questions!

My husband also had a camera down his throat once,his fault.
He was trying to hang up a overhead light and was holding several sharp U shaped nails in his mouth.
Of course it was all my fault because I asked him a question and he swallowed one.
The doc was able to see it grab it with some very long pliers and pull it out . He had a major sore throat  afterwards.
Yes, I'm glad he is fine, just good to check these things out at our age.
he says I'm next but no way, I'll "pass" on that!
Actaully had one done in Vegas abut 5 years ago... No fun, but it was a gas,gas, gas!

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

My husband also had a camera down his throat once,his fault.
He was trying to hang up a overhead light and was holding several sharp U shaped nails in his mouth.
Of course it was all my fault because I asked him a question and he swallowed one.
The doc was able to see it grab it with some very long pliers and pull it out . He had a major sore throat  afterwards....
Actaully had one done in Vegas abut 5 years ago... No fun, but it was a gas,gas, gas!

Confucius he say "man who swallows nails will have sore throat".

I guess that's one for don't try it at home.

I think my Mum had a fishbone in there once and same kind of thing with the long pliers or something.   You'd think a lump of bread or a banana would push it down but apparently not.  I suppose it was stuck in the sides.

I was thinking you had the other camera in Chicago not Vegas - the Windy City.   I think they pump people up with nitrogen gas so they can get a good look around the bends.

For some reason I've suddenly developed ringing/hissing in my ears.  I guess it was that misspent youth at the front watching Aerosmith at the Reading Festival in 1977 (I think they were support to Thin Lizzy),

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

My husband also had a camera down his throat once,his fault.
He was trying to hang up a overhead light and was holding several sharp U shaped nails in his mouth.
Of course it was all my fault because I asked him a question and he swallowed one.
The doc was able to see it grab it with some very long pliers and pull it out . He had a major sore throat  afterwards.
Yes, I'm glad he is fine, just good to check these things out at our age.
he says I'm next but no way, I'll "pass" on that!
Actaully had one done in Vegas abut 5 years ago... No fun, but it was a gas,gas, gas!

A few weeks ag my husband had a terrible tooth ache. He decided to just have it pulled out.
Yesterday after all that pain which took time to heal
we finally saw the dentist.
I'm good, nothing to be done except to stop brushing so hard.
My husband dropped off his dentures to refit, reline them with this tooth now missing.
Awhile ago one of his "fake" teeth had popped off his denture.
He is not vain like me and since no one could notice the missing tooth he just put off having it  clued to the denture.
Saved it, always had it in a special place until he was ready to fix it.
Well yesterday he went to bring it to the dental lab, couldn't find it anywhere.
Go figure? I told him the tooth fairy picked it up but he didn't believe me. Said I must of tossed it out by mistake.
Will find out today how much one fake tooth costs I suppose.
Time for some maintance with these appointments. Next is my eye exam, think I may have a catarac going on, blurry vision.
With all this C-19 stuff we didn't wish to go anywhere near a medical center.
When we arrived home we noticed that now our next door neighbor has a red quarantine sticker on the door! Guess you don't have to go near a medical center to be near danger.
The guy works off and on in the UK so he probably just got back into Hungary.
Not sure what's up with ringing in the ears, could be high BP? Or loud music.
My bro has lost some hearing but he works on jet engines.
One of the ladies in our house seems very deaf, she is always screaming but not angry.
Too bad about Eddie Van Halen... Now I suppose he is running with the Devil or running from the Devil.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

...
Awhile ago one of his "fake" teeth had popped off his denture.
He is not vain like me and since no one could notice the missing tooth he just put off having it  clued to the denture.
.....
The guy works off and on in the UK so he probably just got back into Hungary.
Not sure what's up with ringing in the ears, could be high BP? Or loud music.
My bro has lost some hearing but he works on jet engines.
One of the ladies in our house seems very deaf, she is always screaming but not angry.
Too bad about Eddie Van Halen... Now I suppose he is running with the Devil or running from the Devil.

Oy vay, teeth, don't talk to me about teeth.  My bridge is now loose and it needs gluing back on. Oddly it seems to be well and truly stuck on there again by suction.  Just flirting with danger.  Our dentist looks like he's just not working because of COVID19 so we'll have to find others who like flirting with my health hazard teeth.  Maybe your hubby's tooth has been picked up by some hobo who is now using it to eat old McDonalds out of a trash can.

I thought the ringing could have been high BP but I checked and it's normal.  I know it's too many rock concerts. When I used to leave those things my ears were ringing.  If I'm in a room with a lot of background noise, I cannot hear very well at all.  It could be as simple as being in room with a TV on and someone addressing me from another room.  I'd never get what they say.   It's that background noise which is messing it up.  Might be my ears are blocked but I don't think so.  Both my parents are deaf so probably susceptible.  Win some lose some.

Eddie van Halen was great but I wondered if he was pushed or he Jumped.

I shouldn't worry about any of that when there are Giant Valves and Tiny Fish that should be at the top of everyone's list.

We used many different private dentists here over the years but we found a really nice young lady dentist that works in the medical clinic which takes our Taj card. Was a long journey of many try-outs before we found her.
In fact her assistant personally walked us over to the dental lab so we wouldn't miss it.
Cost for a new reline and 2 new fake teeth was only 18,000. My husband brought 50,000 and a few bills to change in case it cost more.
What a totally funky lab. Is located through a side door at the 6th district farmers market, have to hike up a few fights of back stairs and enter a room from 1950's commie Budapest.Had serval work stations on old wood tables but when we arrived there was only one half crippled walking old lady working there. She had "Girls just want to have fun" by Cindy Lauper blasting away on the radio. So trippy, not sure if her younger work crew left that station on and skipped out to lunch or if she was out to lunch herself.
Teeth look great, natural looking.
Such a beautiful day had to sit in the park for a spell and feed the pigeons, just like your typical old people.
You may wish to check out a gov. Taj dentist since they may be the only ones working now with this C-19 thing going on. Wasn't bad, we called to make an appointment, had to have our temp. taken before getting on the lift. Not too busy right now since you need an appointment to get in.
We are "tippers" but I will be so glad in Jan. when it is  illegal to tip any longer. We gave 10,000 to the dentist was going to give 20,000 but I had nothing wrong, thankfully. It gets pricey with all this tipping if you see so many people in a month. Gave her 10,000 just a couple weeks ago, then more to the guy who pulled my husband's tooth out plus paying for that colon exam at a private place and tipping the nurse too. Dang, maybe I'll put off my eye exam until after Jan.?I can be cheap like that sometimes.
Not sure about your district but we got cards in the post for a free hearing test. Went once a few years back, Shook hands with the mayor, sort of freaked him out having a crazy American women walk up and say, hello Mr. Mayor and grab his hand...My hearing was very good, was told they haven't had anyone for years with such good hearing get tested with them. Not always a blessing when you can hear more then you wish to. I must sleep with ear plugs and a headset on to not hear anything at night.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Cynic wrote:

....
Just an update - the auction was held a couple of days ago; the dining car sold for £9k; the old ex-RAF Beverley was also sold.

£9K wasn't a bad price for the carriage/dining car but I guess it's another £10-15K to move it somewhere else.  The Beverley went for £21K which was quite impressive.  I hope someone is going to look at restoring it.

I've been looking at old carriages here and it would be relatively quite easy to buy one hereabouts but it would be really difficult to move it safely.  One would have to ask if it would be worth it.  Containers would be a lot easier but certainly not as much "fun" or unique. 

BTW, I don't think there are trainspotters here although I have seen people wearing anoraks.

Update.

The guy that bought the Beverley has announced his intention to turn it into an AirBnB; end result of which is that those who sold it to him and all those that had volunteered to help him in the move and subsequent refurb have all thrown their toys out of the cot and it would appear that the whole deal has now collapsed.

Cynic wrote:

....

The guy that bought the Beverley has announced his intention to turn it into an AirBnB; end result of which is that those who sold it to him and all those that had volunteered to help him in the move and subsequent refurb have all thrown their toys out of the cot and it would appear that the whole deal has now collapsed.

I am not surprised.  AirBnB is an in thing at the moment - isolation on holiday as not in a hotel.

People want to see that plane looked after. I would have thought it could have made some sort of gate guard or should be at the IWM at Duxford or the RAF Museum Cosford.   There are precious few iconic aircraft examples that survive.   

I guess if he bought it at the auction it wasn't contingent on having helpers so he's stuck with it!

Well, that's it, the heating has to go on, waking up to temperatures of 3°C in the morning will not do  

SimCityAT wrote:

Well, that's it, the heating has to go on, waking up to temperatures of 3°C in the morning will not do

Mein Gott, only 3 deg C?   You must be up a mountain.  It's only a short hop to snow!

Here in the burbs of Budapest, it's 8.5 deg C and raining continuously.  It won't stop raining until Wednesday and then only for a short period.  Trees still have leaves but some sign of yellowing and dropping off.   

No heating yet as triple glazed and heavily insulated.  Still a balmy 23 deg C inside although I had a hoodie on this morning when I first arrived at my desk.

This rain is a bit off.  I had stuff to do outside but I cannot use power tools outside in this weather.  Maybe Wednesday if I get lucky.

Saw some real estate for sale which makes me question the value of life.
Just saw one apt. for sale in the 11th district, 53 sq. meters, clean on the 6th floor for only 5.3 million. The catch is you will be betting on the owner dying before you take the place. Must also pay the owner $250 per month while they live. The guy is 66 years old.
Suppose he has no one to leave his property to and wants some cash now.
It's like gambling on how long he has to live.
Maybe if he included a health certificate with the deal?
Just kidding with my luck he would live to be 100.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Saw some real estate for sale which makes me question the value of life.
Just saw one apt. for sale in the 11th district, 53 sq. meters, clean on the 6th floor for only 5.3 million. The catch is you will be betting on the owner dying before you take the place. Must also pay the owner $250 per month while they live. The guy is 66 years old.
Suppose he has no one to leave his property to and wants some cash now.
It's like gambling on how long he has to live.
Maybe if he included a health certificate with the deal?
Just kidding with my luck he would live to be 100.

Makes you wonder if the purchaser would "accidentally" leave rollerskates on the stairs.

It's a bit of a bet isn't it but an interesting idea.  Reminds me of David Bowie selling  rights to his albums for something like $50M for X years of income.   Of course no-one would have know then that Bowie would get cancer and die within a few years.   Perhaps if he included a health certificate it should include details of any likely to be fatal conditions.   It's a long term bet.

Say the guy lives another 30 years -  that'd be 90K USD plus of course the 5.3M HUF or 17.5K USD.  So total payment almost 120K USD.  Would it be worth it?  Other investments might be better.

My thoughts exactly the guy would probably outlive me.
Just found it curious that this is not the first time I've seen this sort of scheme.
It would be too weird to wish death on someone like that.
just too much negative energy for me.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

My thoughts exactly the guy would probably outlive me.
Just found it curious that this is not the first time I've seen this sort of scheme.
It would be too weird to wish death on someone like that.
just too much negative energy for me.

It's not an uncommon scheme in the UK through companies and particularly in France where private arrangements are done.

They usually frame it in the UK as "equity release" but it seems like two parts going on - one is the deposit and then the instalment purchase. 

It would need some serious lawyering to get the wording right - like the property would need to be in the name of the purchaser with the occupier having rights until death and to cover who is responsible for ongoing maintenance or capital renovations etc.  Then possibly an insurance policy to cover any spurious claims by relatives or others.

I think it could be done but the numbers have to be in favour of the purchaser.     Definitely a long term bet just in case the seller lasts too long.

The guy doing the deal was going to live in the flat until his demise.
Husband told me about some people a then young couple who did this with an elderly women in Budapest many years back.
They actually lived in the flat with the women and supported her with money and cooking for her.
She was so demanding and mean that they just gave up and moved out. About 2 days later they heard she died so they high  tailed it back to the flat and moved back in. Almost got the raw end of the deal but no one knew they had moved out and returned.
We have a nice sunny side of the building flat that has been sitting empty now for about one year or longer.The women was in her early 60's and had no children or family.
I'd say the flat is worth 45 million or so and rumor is she had another 30 million in the bank. All unclaimed so guess the city or district will be the winners once all the legal stuff is done with.
Darn, I should of petted her dog a few times or taken her JW church newletters...Maybe she would of left me a few bucks?
No serriously people almost never leave money to strangers they would rather see it go to waste with the gov. then help a stranger out.
My mother went 50-50 with her aunt to buy a home in Conn. She bought it before she met my father.
Well, being a well mannered young lady who listened to her elders she signed the house over to her aunt before she married my father because the aunt didn't trust my father. Auntie died and the Salvation Army got the house! Wouldn't even allow my mother into the house to collect family photos. I never saw a photo of my grandmother thanks to that charity. That aunt turned out to have serious mental issues because she hung herself in the kitchen of that home.She was in her early 60's at the time.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....
We have a nice sunny side of the building flat that has been sitting empty now for about one year or longer.The women was in her early 60's and had no children or family.
I'd say the flat is worth 45 million or so and rumor is she had another 30 million in the bank. All unclaimed so guess the city or district will be the winners once all the legal stuff is done with.
Darn, I should of petted her dog a few times or taken her JW church newletters...Maybe she would of left me a few bucks?
No seriously people almost never leave money to strangers they would rather see it go to waste with the gov. then help a stranger out.
My mother went 50-50 with her aunt to buy a home in Conn. She bought it before she met my father.
Well, being a well mannered young lady who listened to her elders she signed the house over to her aunt before she married my father because the aunt didn't trust my father. Auntie died and the Salvation Army got the house! Wouldn't even allow my mother into the house to collect family photos. I never saw a photo of my grandmother thanks to that charity. That aunt turned out to have serious mental issues because she hung herself in the kitchen of that home.She was in her early 60's at the time.

I don't know about here but in the UK, if no-one claims the property it becomes owned by the state who then can auction it off or whatever.  There are loads of what I think are abandoned or semi-abandoned properties around here.  They have houses on them with collapsed roofs or holes the windows.  Weirdly there's one close to here which doesn't seem to have a front door but the light is on all the time.  We think two brothers with mental health issues live there.  We don't know how they survive but we see them wandering the streets.

Signing over the house to the aunt was obviously a mistake and your Mum too trusting.  I heard of one person who was quite wealthy but never bought property for his kids.  He bought houses etc but kept them in his name even though his kids lived in the places.  Didn't really trust the kids to stay on the straight and narrow.  We've seen stories on the TV where kids go off the rails when they shack up with some other person and get into crime and drugs or whatever. Mrs Fluffy and I said we'd do the same - keep it all in our names just in case our kids lose their marbles.  They'd get it in the end.   

Inheritance is a really difficult thing - Mrs Fluffy has inherited property that's become diluted in value because of the involvement of multiple owners. It's impossible to come to an agreement with anyone.  It would have been far better if that deceased person (who meant well) had said everything should be sold and the money divided equally.   Now they've left a 40 year legal and family muddle of differing opinions and interests which has become very divisive.

My much missed mom/mum made many mistakes with money but I have to say she outdid herself when she passed. Had a check sitting on her kitchen table , a chasiers check made out in the name of her 6 children.
Probably would never of known of it  but my skinny crazy now deceased sister jumped through the roof of the last place my mother lived in and broke open the front door. MY 2nd step-dad was nowh
ere to be seen at that time.He knew enough to hide from us angry children. Very emotionally difficult time.
Her husband got about half her funds and we 6 shared what was left.
At least we all knew she had no favorites!
My HU MIL had us visit a notary to make sure her other son was written out and my husband got half her estate. He got passed over so many times in the past as it was.
No guilt in getting half her estate knowing how his bro and sis operated.
By US  standards I felt we wasted our time because within a year we could of made that much money but what the heck? Had a nice long vacation after all.
As they say, it is the tought  that counts.

]

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

My much missed mom/mum made many mistakes with money but I have to say she outdid herself when she passed. Had a check sitting on her kitchen table , a chasiers check made out in the name of her 6 children.
Probably would never of known of it  but my skinny crazy now deceased sister jumped through the roof of the last place my mother lived in and broke open the front door. MY 2nd step-dad was nowh
ere to be seen at that time.He knew enough to hide from us angry children. Very emotionally difficult time.
Her husband got about half her funds and we 6 shared what was left.
At least we all knew she had no favorites!
My HU MIL had us visit a notary to make sure her other son was written out and my husband got half her estate. He got passed over so many times in the past as it was.
No guilt in getting half her estate knowing how his bro and sis operated.
By US  standards I felt we wasted our time because within a year we could of made that much money but what the heck? Had a nice long vacation after all.
As they say, it is the tought  that counts.

]

I'm pretty sure that a lot of people do not think things through properly as they cannot face their own mortality.  I can see myself doing the same.  Even the most organised people who are super organised cannot cover all the bases and fight illness at the same time. 

One of my relatives did manage to cash in all they had before they checked out.  Bit of credit to that person - in the face of imminent death, perhaps did 90% of the required work.  In the end, they weren't  capable of dealing with it physically and mentally. 

The last 10% took another 5 years to sort out and numerous lawyers.  From outside, it looked insurmountable and patience of a saint - a foreign government as involved.   They'd have just kept the money if no-one did anything.

My very best friend , Lisa passed in early March.
She did have high blood presure and was over stressed with her husband dying from prostrate cancer.
Her last message to me was that it looked  close to curtain time for him.
She had also just finished a long heated court battle with her 2 older brothers and one niece over her mother's estate.
Looks like she had to give them a bit but not as much as they claimed.
Not sure how much but it was worth lawyers fees and years in court.
I know her favorite niece was going to get everything in the end. Lisa told me she was the only person who cared in her family.
Sad she never spent  much of the money, died to soon after getting it settled. She got a new floor that's about it. She was frugal and would never just spend on junk or fancy cars or clothing.
My mom I think handled it the best way I ever heard of except getting the check in ur hands was a bit tricky.
She knew she was going but never let on to much about what the doctor told her.She hated people to worry about her or fuss about.
She sold her house, paid off any bills and credit cards she had . Left some to live on and for her husband and put the rest in a cashiers check for the 6 of us to divide up equally.
She paid for her gravesite in advance and told my step-dad what to do with her remains, he went a bit more fancy then she wanted but that's all good.

My SIL just announced her mom's funeral will be held at Forest Lawn Park in Ca.
Fancy...
She told me they have a family plot already and there's room for both her and my brother!
That's bit weird to me to know where my  bones will be resting.
Guess for many people it is a comfort but not for me.
I know Lisa is probably with her parents scattered out in Joshua Tree in the desert.
She made me laugh years ago when we met up in Vegas.
She told me how she had taken her parents ashes to the desert and her mom's boyfriend who she met in an old folks home after she was a widow.
She made sure to drive a few miles away when she dumped the boyfriend's ashes because she thought her father wouldn't like mixing with the other man's ashes. Crazy but funny too.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

My SIL just announced her mom's funeral will be held at Forest Lawn Park in Ca.
Fancy...
She told me they have a family plot already and there's room for both her and my brother!
That's bit weird to me to know where my  bones will be resting.
Guess for many people it is a comfort but not for me.
I know Lisa is probably with her parents scattered out in Joshua Tree in the desert.
She made me laugh years ago when we met up in Vegas.
She told me how she had taken her parents ashes to the desert and her mom's boyfriend who she met in an old folks home after she was a widow.
She made sure to drive a few miles away when she dumped the boyfriend's ashes because she thought her father wouldn't like mixing with the other man's ashes. Crazy but funny too.

I was watching someone in a helicopter on YouTube emptying some ashes into the sea or a lake.  The downwash from the rotors blew all the ashes back into the chopper and covered everyone in the mortal remains/dust.  Seemed like a good idea at the time!

Interestingly in the UK, the ashes have to be buried directly in the ground.  No container.  In other countries, containers are normal.  Moreover in the UK, if say two people want to be buried together, the wooden coffin must be on the bottom and the ashes (in a wood container) on the top.  Then it all disperses together.   Very eco-friendly.

BTW, I'm planning to return to my own dimension and report in on the crazy humans.

Had my beloved Doberman, Maximillian, Max, Maxie Baby cremated.He is in a nice box in our storage unit. I was to chicken to look inside the box or dispose of his ashes. Could of had him buried in a pet cemetery but opted to just save him for later... Didn't want any Steven King nightmares.With pets the cost is by the lbs. The larger the breed , the more it costs. He was 108 lbs. and at the time I believe it was close to $300 for the service. They gave you a bit of their hair.fur in a bag to save.
My mm and step-dad are in the ground , they had nice caskets but they burn those up and delivery the remains in a small cardboard box wrapped in white paper. Looks like a pastry box!
Freaked me out so much seeing my mom that way that I nearly fainted, my bro caught me before I landed in the ground myself.
I know in Japan where my son now lives they actually use chop sticks and pick out bits on bones to save... odd but guess they have been ding that fr ages and is normal for them.
Saw a U tube film on a Japnese caretaker, sort of considered a "off limits.grey person" wh is mostly shunned by society but when needed is well respected for their arts. They wash and dress the deceased in a huge ceramony which the family watches being dne, Put on make up and fix their hair , they never looked better in life. Then the family goes out for a meal while the body is being "fried" then they pick bones and that's it, put in an urn and whatever. Creepy the way people around the world treat the dead.
One tribe has the women carry their husband's skulls around n a belt after they are shrunk.
Crazy, guess I don't really want to think on it much. The cremation office is located across the st. from our flat. The hospital is also across the st. from us. Almost like one stop shopping.
In the 80's I knew a Mormom women in our apt. complex who's husband was aMortician.
Went over to her flat once and just got the creeps. Her husbnad was your classic idea of an undertaker. Tall, dark and skinny.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Had my beloved Doberman, Maximillian, Max, Maxie Baby cremated.He is in a nice box in our storage unit. I was to chicken to look inside the box or dispose of his ashes. Could of had him buried in a pet cemetery but opted to just save him for later... Didn't want any Steven King nightmares.With pets the cost is by the lbs. The larger the breed , the more it costs. He was 108 lbs. and at the time I believe it was close to $300 for the service. They gave you a bit of their hair.fur in a bag to save.
My mm and step-dad are in the ground , they had nice caskets but they burn those up and delivery the remains in a small cardboard box wrapped in white paper. Looks like a pastry box!
Freaked me out so much seeing my mom that way that I nearly fainted, my bro caught me before I landed in the ground myself.
I know in Japan where my son now lives they actually use chop sticks and pick out bits on bones to save... odd but guess they have been ding that fr ages and is normal for them.
Saw a U tube film on a Japnese caretaker, sort of considered a "off limits.grey person" wh is mostly shunned by society but when needed is well respected for their arts. They wash and dress the deceased in a huge ceramony which the family watches being dne, Put on make up and fix their hair , they never looked better in life. Then the family goes out for a meal while the body is being "fried" then they pick bones and that's it, put in an urn and whatever. Creepy the way people around the world treat the dead.
One tribe has the women carry their husband's skulls around n a belt after they are shrunk.
Crazy, guess I don't really want to think on it much. The cremation office is located across the st. from our flat. The hospital is also across the st. from us. Almost like one stop shopping.
In the 80's I knew a Mormom women in our apt. complex who's husband was aMortician.
Went over to her flat once and just got the creeps. Her husbnad was your classic idea of an undertaker. Tall, dark and skinny.

My mother is in my sister's garage awaiting my Dad who wants to be buried. There's a particular graveyard in the UK - looks picture postcard - where plenty of my relatives are resting.  They're running out of space so there's a new section but it's not very well looked after and it's surrounded by trees making it dark.  My Dad has been making noises he wants to go elsewhere as it doesn't look that comfy.  I said it wouldn't matter if he was gone, he wouldn't know anything  about it.   

In cremations, they grind all the bones up in a machine - like a concrete mixer with lumpy metal balls in it.   It came out looking like a rough grey sand with chips in it.   You get it in a sealed plastic bag in a cardboard box.  You can buy your own casket for the ashes on Ebay or Amazon or some other online service.  So much cheaper than the funeral people!

Japanese methods sounds like some sort of caste/class system.   I met a funeral director (it's what we call them) and he was really young - perhaps 20 something - who my ex-wife knew from school days,  The thing about him was that he was impeccably dressed, without a hair out of place and his nails were manicured.  He had a really disarming calm demeanour and almost regally effective small talk.  Oozed confidence.   He wasn't tall dark or skinny - that's Hollywood.    I guess his general aura must be the way to be in that line of week. 

The rituals are quite interesting - burning in India and I think up in the desert areas in Chile, desiccation in the open air.   They used to do that in the Middle East.  I was in Syria (before the war) and they have these towers which are basically morgues open to the air with slots for each body.  Presumably they dry out there.  The towers were old, really old but criminally blown up by Islamic State.

With those grey thoughts, it's quite sunny outside.

Best wishes to your father.
It's not so easy when your best years are behind you.
He must be feeling a bit sad with your mother gone now.
I expect my SIL's father to not be long for the world now that his wife has passed.
I know my husband's granny outlived everyone she ever knew from her youth and felt so out of sorts in her mid 80's.
She had an interesting life.She had 9 children, one set of twins in which my MIL was one of the twins with her brother. Only girl in the family too.
Her very active and "manly man" sort f husband passed in his 30's with TB, They had been living in a huge house as he was an officer in the Budapest Police dept. She had to work to support all her children and move out of that home.
She was born in the 1880's and was the daughter of a married wealthy cattle man and the most beautiful girl in and around the area. So the story goes. He was married as many wealthy people did in those days for land, money and power but it was a loveless marriage. My hubbies great-granny was a beautiful lively red headed young girl who fell in love with this cattle man. He was doing all sorts of modern experiments with cattle and was well known in his region. He was not able to get a divorce and my hubbies granny was born with a step-father. Since my hubbies great-granny was so lovely even though she was having a baby men still wanted to marry her.( lucky her) Grannie's father sent wagons with all sorts of food and clothing t her daughter and everyone in the village knew wh her real father was. Her step-father  when whip the horses and send the carriage back without taking any chairty. When her father was killed by being speared in the chest by one of his prized bulls all the gifts ended and the wife never gave her husband's daughter a thing. His plan was to send her to schools and support her when she was of age and her step- dad couldn't stop him but he died before he could help her out.
People nowdays get so much gov,aid but back then in the 1930's you were pretty much on your own. She received some money in his pension but not enough to support such a large family.
Just like my mother was left alone at 13 when her mother passed away. Her old granny let her stay in school another year but at 14 she had to leave school and get a job to support herself and her younger sister.
Seems like child abuse now.
I sort of cringe when I hear of a grown man getting aid from the gov. if he is still able bodied. My 2 male cousins live off the system and it is hard to respect them.
This super overcast sky every day is getting too much and it is still fall.
Is this what they mean by the darkest winter?
Went to the great market hall to buy some produce. Over all the prices are lower then about 2 months ago or so.
Not very busy at all. it is a Thurs. so perhaps Fri. and Sat. are busier.
My husband said it is because people don't have any money to spend but I am not sure, people need to eat after all.
Seeing a doc at the eye clinic lat in Nov.my eyes need a serious exam and perhaps some surgery. So tired of seeing in a fog.
Just wonder if C-19 will allow me to actually get my exam or not.

I'm enjoying some post-Trump gossip from here and there.  There was an author/writer called Jeffrey Robinson on the radio talking about ghost writing a novel for El Donaldo.  I believe it was called Trump Tower. It was a trashy kind of novel that didn't do very well.   Anyway, that author said he knows Trump really well as he was with him for months while this book was being written. He was rather scathing to say the least about Donny.  The radio station haven't put up the interview which is a bit annoying but the summary scenario was quite good - definitely plenty of schadenfreude:

DT will be indicted by State prosecutors in NYC

DT will face at least 12 lawsuits

Ivanka and Jared and others will be pardoned by DT for all federal crimes

DT will resign a few days before Biden takes over and Pence will be sworn in as President.

President Pence's main act will be to pardon El Donaldo

and gossip from elsewhere:

Melania is planning to divorce DT immediately after the inauguration.

Oh, btw,  the bizarre was overtaken by the surreal with the Guliani press conference at the Four Seasons Landscaping.   I almost fell off my chair laughing.

Watched a few min.s of the link, couldn't take it, people are too much at times.
I now know why I perfer to be alone most times. Peple overload with their self importance drives me crazy. No one is listening to anyone, they are too busy talking to hear anyone else.
How can anyone actually believe the media or that their vote counts?
It's a game show.
Obama care is horrible.
I had a taste of it a couple years back when we were in Vegas for 6 months.During all that time I could only get in one time to see my GP.Anything between those visits had to be taken care of in a strip mall medical clinic where your got the doctor of the day.
Went to a very nice sports injury clinic with my knee one time.They gave me braces a shot in the leg and was suppose to have a follow up visit. Very fancy sports clinic, had photos of all the pro footballers they had treated. They all have blown out knees so they had t know their stuff at this clinic.
Got  notified that due to Obama care they couldn't see me again unless I paid out of pocket.
Went somewhere else for my knee, took liteally months to get in . Had  PT which worked but the time that was wasted was so lame.
Got a colon exam too, was a very pricey exam, never was able to actually find time to get the test results read by a doctor. Just loked online myself t try to figure it out.
You need a year just to get a test and have someone get back to you.
Worst coverage ever.
My son was paying out of pocket a couple hundred a month plus his job paid part of his coverage, His wife was n't covered unless he came up with another few hundred a month, a deal but no deal.
Now in Japan I think they pay $100. a month for the 2 of them and seeing a dentist there is either free with the coverage or about $10 a visit.
The US is in some deep trouble one way or the other.
My sister works every other weekend at a old folks home at the front desk. She has to wear all sorts of protective gear and no one is entering her work area, just phones. She also has to have a C-19 test every week.
So tonight is the first night of the 8 pm curfew here. Doesn't bother us one bit but still. it's very werid. You'd sort of think that going out at night in shops with less people out would be a good idea.
Getting an eye exam here next week, not sure what good it will do since all elective surgeries are on hold now, this list was over 10,400 people ahead of me as it was... Will be good I suppose to know what's up and maybe look for a private clinic if needed later on, or get some coke bottle bottom glasses.

I'd like to mention more about that terrible Obama care in the US.
I got a NV state medical card because I was retired but still too young to get medicare.
I visited my GP after waiting about 3 months to get into see her. Because I was new to her and aged 62 ish, she wanted a full colon exam and other tests to know more about my health. Good doctor really.
I was given the OK to get the colon exam after months more of waiting to get it aprroved for payment by the state or federal gov.
Made an appointment with the testing place. Out of the blue I got a call frm sme assisant at the exam place asking if I really needed the test or not because it was "very expensive" to quote her.
It's like if they can't make money onn you then drop dead.
I was more then mad I told her off on the phone and asked her name and asked if she was my doctr or who they heck was she to ask such a thing.
The subject was drpped, it was illegal they way she questioned my docotors orders.
It was actually a better system before he messed everything up.
I wonder how many people get intimidated and back dow n from getting tests because some office worker thinks they can save a few bucks or make more money on someone else.
I also had 2 tiny spots of skin cancer lasered off at a skin clinic in Vegas. The doctor told me they couldn't do more then 3 spots at a time and needed approval and forms filled out if they had to do more then 3 tiny pin sized spots. Obama care,,,
I know some people even I at times say things about the health care here but overall it is much more fair then in the US.At least you never have to wait 3 months to see your GP here, at least not yet.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Watched a few min.s of the link, couldn't take it, people are too much at times.
I now know why I perfer to be alone most times. Peple overload with their self importance drives me crazy. No one is listening to anyone, they are too busy talking to hear anyone else.
How can anyone actually believe the media or that their vote counts?
It's a game show.
Obama care is horrible.
I had a taste of it a couple years back when we were in Vegas for 6 months.During all that time I could only get in one time to see my GP.Anything between those visits had to be taken care of in a strip mall medical clinic where your got the doctor of the day.
Went to a very nice sports injury clinic with my knee one time.They gave me braces a shot in the leg and was suppose to have a follow up visit. Very fancy sports clinic, had photos of all the pro footballers they had treated. They all have blown out knees so they had t know their stuff at this clinic.
Got  notified that due to Obama care they couldn't see me again unless I paid out of pocket.
Went somewhere else for my knee, took liteally months to get in . Had  PT which worked but the time that was wasted was so lame.
Got a colon exam too, was a very pricey exam, never was able to actually find time to get the test results read by a doctor. Just loked online myself t try to figure it out.
You need a year just to get a test and have someone get back to you.
Worst coverage ever.
My son was paying out of pocket a couple hundred a month plus his job paid part of his coverage, His wife was n't covered unless he came up with another few hundred a month, a deal but no deal.
Now in Japan I think they pay $100. a month for the 2 of them and seeing a dentist there is either free with the coverage or about $10 a visit.
The US is in some deep trouble one way or the other.
My sister works every other weekend at a old folks home at the front desk. She has to wear all sorts of protective gear and no one is entering her work area, just phones. She also has to have a C-19 test every week.
So tonight is the first night of the 8 pm curfew here. Doesn't bother us one bit but still. it's very werid. You'd sort of think that going out at night in shops with less people out would be a good idea.
Getting an eye exam here next week, not sure what good it will do since all elective surgeries are on hold now, this list was over 10,400 people ahead of me as it was... Will be good I suppose to know what's up and maybe look for a private clinic if needed later on, or get some coke bottle bottom glasses.

I'd like to mention more about that terrible Obama care in the US.
I got a NV state medical card because I was retired but still too young to get medicare.
I visited my GP after waiting about 3 months to get into see her. Because I was new to her and aged 62 ish, she wanted a full colon exam and other tests to know more about my health. Good doctor really.
I was given the OK to get the colon exam after months more of waiting to get it aprroved for payment by the state or federal gov.
Made an appointment with the testing place. Out of the blue I got a call from some assistant at the exam place asking if I really needed the test or not because it was "very expensive" to quote her.
It's like if they can't make money onn you then drop dead.
......
I know some people even I at times say things about the health care here but overall it is much more fair then in the US.At least you never have to wait 3 months to see your GP here, at least not yet.

I never heard those stories about Obama Care.  I only looked at the headline of 25 or so million more people being covered. Perhaps the problem is simply it's not being done correctly.  Too many financial interests still interfering with it.  Perhaps Obama should have built an entirely parallel system.   

Here, it's all universal health care mostly and in my own country, it's definitely free universal care at the NHS. It's actually quite good there. You can get an appointment easily either online, on the phone or in person.   Money is never even a question in any discussions and there's no waiting for really serious issues. Ambulances and paramedics are free.  If you're over 60, all medicines are free too.   No means testing, it's just there.   Here, it's different.  Makes me wonder about being retired here.

There are plenty of anecdotes of  foreign visitors getting injured, being taken to hospital in the UK, getting fixed up and then sent on their way.  I saw someone on TV who fell over while on a cruise and visiting a town in the North of Scotland - cut their hand and the medic stitched them up, they tried to pay and the doc said  it's not worth the effort filling in the forms, enjoy your cruise and bye!

I am beginning to wonder.  In the UK, it might become the National COVID19 Services, never mind Health being in there.

My son and his job paid into he Blue Sheild Blue cross health coverage in the US which changed with Obama care. He used to have his wife covered through his job at no extra cost but that changed under Obi. His wait times were not as long as mine to see any doctor but he also got a bill ontop of it. Anywhere from another $50 to over $500. On top of that there was no dental coverage!
Guess he was considered ,"middle class" so he got sucker punched. One reason he left the US, he had enough of the BS.o
My prblem was I got a NV helath card which was really free cverage so I was trated like a leper.
Had to call for an appintment with everything except walk in clinics. Was put on hold over the phone for well over 45 mins each time yu called too.
Every little thing had to go through paperwork and it was a wait time of 2 to 3 months to get an answer on weither or not the treatment was covered or not. I mean if you're really ill and need surgery it might just kill you waiting to see the doctor.
I got the run around about as much as I did here at the surgical clinic when I didn't tip. Was sent to 3 different docotrs and none of them did a thing for me, I mean zero.
Finally had to go elsewhere.
Yes with the skin cancer on my forearm the doc had to ask permission before he could laser my arm, took all of 5 mins to do too. All my meds were free, the skin doc gave me some cancer treatment cream while I waited for the OK for the laser. That alone cost the gv. over $75 for a tiny tube of cream.
He said it was good I only had 2 tiny spots becuase he couldn't do more then 3 spots without filling more papers and waiting for the OK.
That's just crazy and more of a waste of time and moneyn then it's worth.
So we have to attend the masked parade anytime we want to go outdoors now, wonderful, I'm already breaking out under my chin from the short times I wore one to go shopping.
Acne at 65, not sure if I shuld cry or laugh?
One thing I am not clear about is do we have to wear a amsk while walking in the park or playing ping pong? My husband says yes and I read if you are in a park or green area or doing sports you don't need to wear one.Not sure but why walk in the park if you can't even breath?

well finally, i went into a hungarian consulate in australia ordered my passport (Útlevél) and national identity card (Személyazonosító igazolvány)
2 years and its finally over.... now just need australia to open the border so i can finally move over

petromaya wrote:

well finally, i went into a hungarian consulate in australia ordered my passport (Útlevél) and national identity card (Személyazonosító igazolvány)
2 years and its finally over.... now just need australia to open the border so i can finally move over

It's really difficult to travel anywhere these days. 

When you get here, under the current regulations, you have to quarantine for 10 days.

ohhh the consulate official said as a Hungarian citizen i didnt need to

interesting its only 10 days isnt that just drive from airport to home and stay in that

regards

petromaya wrote:

ohhh the consulate official said as a Hungarian citizen i didnt need to

interesting its only 10 days isnt that just drive from airport to home and stay in that

regards

The current quarantine applies to both HU and non-HU nationals.

The police will come around randomly to make sure you are there including quite late at night - like 21h. 

Strangely they only accept COVID19 tests to avoid quarantine from a Schengen country, US or Canada.

Things change a lot here. We're in even more severe restrictions right now with a curfew 20h to 04h plus other stuff.

But you should read the official advice wherever you find it at a HU government web site to find the latest news.

You might want to look at the thread here about COVID19.

As for Marilyn's comments on the ACA (Obamacare), not saying they are wrong, this is her experience, but I could list others who have very positive experiences. One example should not condemn the entire program, especially on something as complex as healthcare.  On top of that, while the ACA is a Federal program, the States administer it at the state level and have done so in very different ways. So Obamacare in Ohio is different from Obamacare in NV is different from Obamacare in FL, etc.

What we can definitely agree on, is that the US system is atrocious. Not the medical care, but the administration and access issues. The average American can rattle off a complex story of insurance deductibles, co-pays, yearly limits, in-network vs out of network benefits, etc. like it is completely normal, instead of looking at it as the wasteful beast that it is.  Here is a similar story that I have for the HU medical system -- went to the doctor, went to the pharmacy, e-prescription registered, came home. Really couldn't be simpler. Cost? Zero to see the doctor, and saw the doctor in under 10 minutes, pharmacy cost about 4,500 Fts for 3 months' supply.
At the moment, no complaints about the HU system, realizing that I have company-provided private healthcare as well as public, and I use both. No complaints on either. And I know the system is even better in more Western European countries. Again, in comparison to the US system, well...there is no comparison.

I'm getting an eye exam today inside the hospital eye clinic, will let you know how that goes...
I remember too far back, sadly when US health care was health care and not for so much profit.
Our family doctor when often not treat something by just giving a medication but tell us to do something naturally or wait it out and come back if it wasn't better.
I also remember my step-father health coverage from Lockheed in the 1960's. We were just his step-children and never adopted by him even though he offered to to that for us.
We 4 children that weren't his were covered fully by his wrk insurance and it was good coverage, dental, and all.
My experiences overall in both HU and the US aren't great with doctors over the past 30 odd years, maybe my expectations are too high?

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

I'm getting an eye exam today inside the hospital eye clinic, will let you know how that goes...
I remember too far back, sadly when US health care was health care and not for so much profit.
Our family doctor when often not treat something by just giving a medication but tell us to do something naturally or wait it out and come back if it wasn't better.
I also remember my step-father health coverage from Lockheed in the 1960's. We were just his step-children and never adopted by him even though he offered to to that for us.
We 4 children that weren't his were covered fully by his wrk insurance and it was good coverage, dental, and all.
My experiences overall in both HU and the US aren't great with doctors over the past 30 odd years, maybe my expectations are too high?

Hope the eye exam was OK.   

I read fairly recently the US insurance system was based upon the car industry pressure to take away the restrictions on roads and vehicles.  The idea was to push the blame and responsibility for accidents onto the pedestrian.   It was so successful, it snowballed and then morphed into the system we see today.  I shall revisit that again for sources.

What I've never understood is why people are happy to pay their taxes for the US military or Fire and Rescue - regardless of whether anyone is a direct beneficiary of that - but not happy to pay for universal health care like it's someone else's problem. Doesn't make sense for one thing to be acceptable and the other not to be.  Mr Spock would be turning in his grave due to illogical nature of it.

My personal experience with Hungarian (eye) operations is actually pretty good, yes there was a huge waiting-list for my cataract operation, but I insisted to be operated by the head (eye-surgeon) of Zalaegerszeg. Of course I paid a bit to assistants (who were also very good I think (and spoke English and German)). The doctor performs operations once per week in Keszthely and you can deal with a cataract operation within a day (per eye of course).
I was very happy and I do not think the guy does this for money (he is actually quite famous as it seems (if needed I can give the name)). I think in Corona times it will probably more difficult to get treatment.

Of course eyes can have much more serious items then Cataract, but from what I have heard he is really good. There are also numereous private eye clinics (also I believe not excessively expensive), but I decided to go through the normal system,