Absolutely Anything Else

    I'm an ex-hairdresser who spent allot of time doing some barbering work, no razor shaves but lots of trims on beards, etc.In the US only a licensed barber can use a straight razor for a shave, cosmotologist like myself aren't legaly able to pull out the razor for a face shave.I'd be a bit afraid these days with my eyesight to start doing that now!In barber school they learn by shaving a balloon. I can imagine all the popping that went on!Even with having a hairdresser in the house, my husband has to be talked into sitting long enough for a cut every 3 weeks or so.....    -@Marilyn TassyI am surprised about the idea of licensing barbers.  But why would anyone want to use a cutthroat razor anyway?  Even safety razors are quite dangerous.  One of my grandfathers was a barber. I think he has one style, short back and sides. I don't think he knew anything else - one of the old school barbers. I don't know if he had a red/white pole outside the shop.  My grandmother became a hairdresser and was really the boss of the whole thing. I suppose they made enough money as they owned property. They were definitely middle class or aspiring to be.            -@fluffy2560

IDK, my first salon job was at Carltons' Hair International at their Westwood location.

It's a large chain of high end salons from S. Africa.

The 2 onwers had to ,"appove" you before the hire. ( One was a hairdresser and the other an accountant! He saw the money a salon could make)

Based on your outward presentation , attitude etc.Willingness to take orders and attend mandatory cutting classes once a week far off at yet another of their loactions. That one was a good 90 mins each way from our home. One had to ahve a certain look to work there. I always had my hair done in some crazy color or style.

I was the mother of a 3 year old too so getting my husband to baby-sit after a long day while I was gone till well after 9pm once a week was stressful. I t also was held on my day off so I never really had a break from work.

Even with a license all new hires just out of school could expect at least a full year of being an assistant. 6 months a shop assistant then an a personal assistant to a top stylist.

I swear it was not easy to keep it up being on the ready all day long to help any stylist who needed help with a client.

Well about the only motovation there was , was knowing how much they made once on the floor full time with their own clients.

My God, this was in the early 1980's and the average stylist in that shop made over $100,000 per year!

Some famous rockers and wealthy people came in. They didn't think twice of spending $100. on a childs haircut and extra's. Money was flowing in that place.

I had no idea a hairdresser could make that much money if in the right shop.

I never made the full year, the stress was getting to me and my husband as well as I  knew I should quit.

I was losing weight and getting a bit too big for my britches so to speak.

When you are around people with such high egos and high demands it changes you too.

Such snobs and so much nasty gossip going on in that place.

It about broke me trying to be a mom, wife and the demands of that shop.

All the back stabbing that went on between stylists was horrible too.

My friend who was their artistic director was working in that shop. Another friend of mine had done her 6 months of floor sweeping and hair washing and had moved up to be his personal assistant.

She was the daughter of a very wealthy man.

I found out that just about everyone in that shop came from money to begin with. You hardly got paid anything when new. I know I was spending more on fashion clothing to come to work in then I made.

Another reason I quit,my husband was  getting tired of buying all these new trendy items just so he could baby-sit.

Not easy, I was the only mom in there too. I had to choice what job was more impotant to me, my family or some lame job.

Still... $100,000 a year in the 80's wasn't a joke.

Their underground parking lot was full of high end shinny new cars that these stylists owned.

It was the type of salon for a young single persn to break into as a serious career.

I was lucky though to see that side of the industry.

A big difference then where I worked in Hawaii, it was a small wooden shack sort of salon behind a Chinese take out, Nothing fancy at all, just allot of fun and nice co-workers.

Money wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either.

Only a 4 day a week job but driving a total of 3 hours a day to get to and from work was draining.

Back when we lived in HIlo the shops I saw in Hilo were mostly old men's real barber shops or all sort of family run small salons, nothing really very fashionable there at that time.

Such as with life, it's all or nothing.

Now I hear Hilo has many chain salons and salons inside of malls.

I really wasn't into being a hairdresser that much either. My mother and step-father paid for a school , bought me my kit and told me on a Friday that on Monday I started beauty school.

They had me since they had already paid and asked a special favor to get me into a full class.

They even had it all set up to baby-sit for me while I was in classes.

Hard to say no to that.

My mother was a big believer in a women having a trade just in case her husband became a jerk and she had to be on her own.

Happened to her with her raising 4 children on her own.

    So many stories on so or so much divorce of husbands or wifes, in my view if you are married you make a commitment, at the start there is love and probably sex; afterwards you should and will be become trusted friends. Marriage is for life, if you like it or not!!        -@cdw057

I don't think anyone should live a life of misery just because they make a bad judgement call and married the wrong person.

It will not work if only one in the marriage is committed.

My son was very immature when he married his first wife. He had a crazy idea that he owed his ancestors something. He said he had to marry a Hungarian women.

He first wanted to marry a Swedish women so went to Sweden at age 21 but came home empt y handed.

No idea why he wished to marry so young and was so childlike in his views on life.

He couldn't see how horrible his HU GF was. Even his 80 year old HU grandmother was crying to us , begging us to stop him from marrying that wild HU women.

In the end, granny was right. Our son was played for a green card and free ticket to the USA with all the papers in order. ( Minus all his savings too and left with a criminal  case and having to hire a lawyer to break away)

It burned us, my HU husband was ashamed of the females in his country.

He said he never remembered them being so dishonet in his time.

My eldest sister was married 4 times, Now I agree that's a bit much, thankfully she never had children and didn't drag them into a mess.

Not everyone get  lucky and meets their real soul mate the first time around.

People also used to die early and that was ne way out of a bad marriage.

We had a neighbor in Ca. who was from Armenia. He was a very large man but jolly enough.

He had an arranged marriage and flew back home to meet and pick up his bride.

She was very sweet and I never gave any thought to if that was a good thing or bad to have it arranged because they both seemed happy enough.

They made a bargin I suppose with thier families.

My parents divorced and so did my husband in a time where it was very uncommon.

My husband was only 18 months old when his parents broke up. My MIL never physically met with her ex-husband again, even had arrangements for visits with his children handled by someone else so not to see him again in the flesh.

He was a broken man after the war and couldn't hold down a job to support his 3 children. He had been a spoiled rich boy growing up and couldnt adjust to being a working stiff.

Later when he got his head together he remarried and had another child.

My MIL was a single mom post WW11 with 3 children to riase on her own.

Later she remarried too but she still supported her children and never had her new husband spend a dime on them. His money was his own.

My parents divorced when I was 7. My father had a wandering eye and got my mothers BFF a married lady , pregnant. What a shame on my father. This family lived right across the st. from us too.

How did my mother stand seeing that women in her yard knowing she was carrying my fathers child?

My dad is lucky they divorced and my mother didn murder the two of them.

How could a person be expected to stay in such a marriage?

There is a case for divorce, it's even Biblical if that is an issue for anyone.

If you are a religious person I suppose one is not suppse to remarry while their ex is still living but I don't know anyone personally who is that religious.

Like they say, it takes two to tango.

I watch a YouTube channel called Sleeperdude. It is vehicle related but involves a whole family of 5 who work on projects together. On the last video I watched, the son had been to the barbers and got a short back and sides. As a kid my dad did the hair cutting for my brother and myself and that was the only cut he ever did. I'm sure I would have chosen something different given a choice! Lots of the other kids at school had home hair cuts, often involving a pudding basin for cutting the fringe (bangs in USA). I stopped going to the barber during the pandemic and have carried on cutting my own hair with an electric trimmer. In summer I sometimes give myself an army crew cut but let it grow longer in winter.

IDK, my first salon job was at Carltons' Hair International at their Westwood location.It's a large chain of high end salons from S. Africa.The 2 onwers had to ,"appove" you before the hire. ( One was a hairdresser and the other an accountant! He saw the money a salon could make)Based on your outward presentation , attitude etc.Willingness to take orders and attend mandatory cutting classes once a week far off at yet another of their loactions. That one was a good 90 mins each way from our home. One had to ahve a certain look to work there. I always had my hair done in some crazy color or style.I was the mother of a 3 year old too so getting my husband to baby-sit after a long day while I was gone till well after 9pm once a week was stressful. I t also was held on my day off so I never really had a break from work.Even with a license all new hires just out of school could expect at least a full year of being an assistant. 6 months a shop assistant then an a personal assistant to a top stylist.I swear it was not easy to keep it up being on the ready all day long to help any stylist who needed help with a client.Well about the only motovation there was , was knowing how much they made once on the floor full time with their own clients.My God, this was in the early 1980's and the average stylist in that shop made over $100,000 per year!Some famous rockers and wealthy people came in. They didn't think twice of spending $100. on a childs haircut and extra's. Money was flowing in that place.I had no idea a hairdresser could make that much money if in the right shop. I never made the full year, the stress was getting to me and my husband as well as I  knew I should quit.I was losing weight and getting a bit too big for my britches so to speak.When you are around people with such high egos and high demands it changes you too.Such snobs and so much nasty gossip going on in that place.It about broke me trying to be a mom, wife and the demands of that shop.All the back stabbing that went on between stylists was horrible too.My friend who was their artistic director was working in that shop. Another friend of mine had done her 6 months of floor sweeping and hair washing and had moved up to be his personal assistant.She was the daughter of a very wealthy man.I found out that just about everyone in that shop came from money to begin with. You hardly got paid anything when new. I know I was spending more on fashion clothing to come to work in then I made.Another reason I quit,my husband was  getting tired of buying all these new trendy items just so he could baby-sit.Not easy, I was the only mom in there too. I had to choice what job was more impotant to me, my family or some lame job.Still... $100,000 a year in the 80's wasn't a joke.Their underground parking lot was full of high end shinny new cars that these stylists owned.It was the type of salon for a young single persn to break into as a serious career.I was lucky though to see that side of the industry. A big difference then where I worked in Hawaii, it was a small wooden shack sort of salon behind a Chinese take out, Nothing fancy at all, just allot of fun and nice co-workers.Money wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either.Only a 4 day a week job but driving a total of 3 hours a day to get to and from work was draining.Back when we lived in HIlo the shops I saw in Hilo were mostly old men's real barber shops or all sort of family run small salons, nothing really very fashionable there at that time.Such as with life, it's all or nothing.Now I hear Hilo has many chain salons and salons inside of malls......My mother was a big believer in a women having a trade just in case her husband became a jerk and she had to be on her own.Happened to her with her raising 4 children on her own.        -@Marilyn Tassy

100K a year?  I'm in the wrong business! 

All the hierarchy in the hairdressing trade seems a bit OTT.  I've seen it myself.  I think it's bordering on abuse in some salons I've been in over the years.

I'm watching a TV show called The Bear about chefs and their personal lives. It's produced by FX.  It's a good show, one of the best on at the moment.  It's a bossy business as well with almost military ranks and they call each other "chef", which is a bit weird as I call my colleagues by their first names. It sounds like that hierarchy in hairdressing is very similar to food preparation and delivery.

My second eldest is working in hospitality as assistant manager in a remotely located hotel in the UK.  It's in the wind and wilds with more sheep than people. She runs the F&B (Food and Beverage) end of it.  The guests are mainly hill walkers so they aren't at the posh end.  All muddy boots and wet coats.  She does have to work late after closing time, preparing for the next day.  But it's only has a 10m commute and her BF can walk to his work nearby.  There's no way she makes 100K doing that.  Enough to live on but not brilliant. 

I rather hoped they'd go back to Australia or NZ (they were living there before). Maybe that's the plan.  More opportunity there than the UK.  If only Brexit hadn't happened, they could have got international jobs in Europe.

I'm being lazy today as I have jet lag.

I'm making some spicey cabbage soup with sausages for lunch today.  I am also making clafouti this afternoon.  I saw a movie and they all wanted some as part of the plot. I'd never heard of it so had to look it up.  Like a baked pancake with fruit. I'm making it with raspberries and blueberries. Looks really easy to make.

I'm trying to do some of the cooking as Mrs F is busy with her mother who isn't look like she'll survive so long.  However the Docs say she can go on years. I haven't seen her for 2 months and Mrs F showed me a photo. It's truly shocking the decline.

I'm sorry about your MIL.

It's scary to see the physical changes that can happen to a person.

I'm back pretty much to my old self although being ill for a couple of years did take a toll I think o n me.

Perhaps it was the full bright light makeup mirror yesterday at that Douglas store in the mall.

Had to pick up some beuaty prducts as the last time I ddi I purchased in the US. It's been awhile.

Man, seeing my face under professional lights was shocking . I told the make up man,( Yes Hungary is all updated with the LBQ whatever stuff)  to just match the fundation makeup all over me! Dang, time marches on...

Falling of topic but yes, when my step father was nly 43 and was dying he loked like an unhealthy 95 year old man then someone wh was suppose to be in his prime of life.

I hadn't visited for abut 2 weeks at my mm's .She was doing home hospic with him.

She asked me to stay the night with my son because she knew it was his last day.

In the morning, I helped her dress him in clean new PJ's before the ambulance took him to the hospital. I was so shocked as too how old,weak and sick he was. Just a bunch of bones. He was up and talking 2 weeks before when we visited him. The end is rarely pretty.

Probably will be half lazy today and heat up left over bean soup and fry a few think slices of meat with some fresh brocolli or a salad.

Was planning on making that cabbage dish with pork and sourkraut but it can wait till tomorrow, need paprika and forgot it yesterday.

Yes the beautry business is tough, a bunch of prima donnas.

I swear to this day I get nervous walking into a salon, even as a client and not having to work there.

I can't wait to leave the place.

I used to go to some of the higher end salons in Budapest for a cut. Must of been to a min. of 5 different ones and several times at almost all of them.

Dang, hated it really.

I hope in the future this women I used last cut keeps up at least a min. of skills, I can always patch up things at home myself.

I tell my husband how lucky he is to not have to make an appointment, sit there and wait and then pay for a cut. He jokes that he still has to pay!

I tell him he must keep up on his cuts if I'm ever gone, he says he will just grow his hair into a pony tail or shave it all off.Yikes, not a great look on his head shape.

I know I couldn't believe what those stylists made at Carltons, my friend said he made about $125,000 a year and his wife almost made $100,000 working in the same co. but in a differnet location.

Man, wish sometimes I stuck it out. ( Not really, I'd prbably be divorced by the time I made any real money)

Usually they only took new hairdressers in that had attended Sassoon's academy in Beverly Hills, my friend had worked there too as an instructor. Since I knew him they acepted me with my everyday beauty training  at an average school.

Like they say, it takes money to make money... Sassons at the time cost more then double most other beauty schools. My friend tried to get me to go there as well but no way. It cost too much , my son would of been in day care for at least a year and I already had in over 800 hours of training and I'd have to give that up and start again from zero hours.

If my car didn't give out driving into Beverly Hills everyday, I would of given out.

In Ca. you need 1,600 hours to pass your beauty tests.

A full day of exams, 4 hours of written exams and 4 hours of working on a model and being graded per service given.

Hard to even find a model for the tests since sometimes they have you give half a haircut and then say next service, like doing one hand manicure with red polish and then moving on.

My brother's girlfriend at the time was my model. She was Italian and had thick curly hair.perfect for those pin curls we had to do.

I took her out eat afterwards and the next day did repair work on her. Half a haircut!

You could rent a model for the day, what sort of job is that? Getting half haircuts and half facials and manicures all the time.

I think living in a beauty place and wrking close to home without stress is great. I'm sure your girl is happy enough doing that.

IDK, my first salon job was at Carltons' Hair International at their Westwood location.It's a large chain of high end salons from S. Africa.The 2 onwers had to ,"appove" you before the hire. ( One was a hairdresser and the other an accountant! He saw the money a salon could make)Based on your outward presentation , attitude etc.Willingness to take orders and attend mandatory cutting classes once a week far off at yet another of their loactions. That one was a good 90 mins each way from our home. One had to ahve a certain look to work there. ....My mother was a big believer in a women having a trade just in case her husband became a jerk and she had to be on her own.....Happened to her with her raising 4 children on her own.    -@Marilyn Tassy

Sounds like an audition as much as a job application. 

Our No. 1 Fluffyette is into "performing" like dancing, visual arts (photography/video) and possibly acting too. 

I was expecting when she turned 18, she'd be auditioning for roles in movies but she's decided to focus on her academic work which is excellent of course.  Mrs F and I are a bit in awe. She was demonstrating her dancing to us.  To us it looks good but what do we know!

Anyway, I can see that's what I see in that performance stuff in the chef drama show, "The Bear". 

It's as much about performance and presentation of the delivery as technical skill.

I like the skill, artistry and attention they have to the details but I'm not impressed with the actual food sometimes.

Yes, almost all my jobs could be called,"Auditions".

In fact getting hired as a games dealer is called, "An Audition".

You have an appointment to audtion in front of the boss and hiring managers.

They remove the dealer on the table and have you take over and deal for a bit of time. Say, 5 to 10 mins.

Once though I was so mad I didn't except the job.

They decided to let me audition fr about 40 mins. Just enough time to have used me as a break person so anther dealer on payroll culd have their hourly break.

Thought, no way am I working at such a casino that is clearly using it's employees.It seemed abusive to me.

Basically they just need to know you can deal the game, control any issues that may  of happened between palyers and deal a "clean game".

They watch everything you do all day long, I mean it you thought about it too hard it might drive you nuts. Every second of your work day is on tape and they can and sometimes do rewind the tapes if anything should happen on the game.

No scratching yourself, playing with your hair or making any ,"funny" moves or they may ask WTH are you doing.

I was always putting myself in the mind set of being an actor while working.

Sort of true.

When I think it over in my beauty school training and in my gaming school training, each time my fave instructors were both older , tiny, little experienced ladies from the UK.

In dealing school my instructor from day one said we are on stage.

In beauty school the UK lady was a sharp contrast to our other female instructor who was a tough Mexican/American lady who didn't take lip from anyone.

The British lady was smooth and calm but still got her point across but with style.

I later went to another beauty school and had an instructor who was a day time nurse in a plastic surgery clinic and an evening cosmetologist.

My instructor in gaming school had started as a games dealer in London in private clubs during the 1960's

I never asked her but I wonder if she worked for the mob, the Krays?

I wouldn't doubt it.

She was a trip.

I still get newsletters from a,"talent agent" in Las Vegas. I landed a job once from them and all these ears later I'm still on the books.

Last job was for me to go to Dubai!

Crazy.

On U tube my husband noticed several people trying to teach basic machining skills.

I know he'd get a million views if he started his own U tube channel.

Just need a camera on his head and a good lathe machine.

People no longer need to leave their hme to work.

What is so werid to me is those mukbang channels.

People getting paid to eat on camera.

How much junk food can the cram in their faces in a short amount of time.

Hmm, and they say humanity is getting smarter with every generation? I D think so.

    Yes, almost all my jobs could be called,"Auditions".
In fact getting hired as a games dealer is called, "An Audition".
You have an appointment to audtion in front of the boss and hiring managers.
   

    -@Marilyn Tassy

One person who has failed his audition is Donny T.   

Banned from the ballot in Colorado. 

The forces of democracy are being bathed in the glow of schadenfreude. 

Now if only OV and Putin are taken out too!

OV's ,"gasman "buddy is holding some huge Xmas party for over 20,000 employees of his.

Using a conference room in one of OV's stadiums to hold the event.

Big give away with a raffle.

2 Suzuki's can be won, new washing machines and fridges. even robotic vacum cleaners.

Hear they are having 2 well know artists palying, One might be , Julio Iiglesias.

I can't say the word, gasman. without thinking of that British tv show, "Bottom". Super funny to me.

Too bad all this waste of money isn't funny as well.

Banned from the ballot in Colorado. 


    -@fluffy2560

Let the popcorn flow

    Banned from the ballot in Colorado.      -@fluffy2560

Let the popcorn flow
   

    -@SimCityAT

I don't really follow political issues but I did see something about him being banned in Co.

What a freak show!!

I saw a episode last night on 60 mins. Australia about the broken freindship between Melina and her former BFF who was her aid at the White House.

Melinda threw her BFF of 15 years under the bus.

Her ex-BFF gave a sort of tell all abut the Trumps.

Bunch of self serving jerks to me.

    OV's ,"gasman "buddy is holding some huge Xmas party for over 20,000 employees of his.
Using a conference room in one of OV's stadiums to hold the event.
Big give away with a raffle.
2 Suzuki's can be won, new washing machines and fridges. even robotic vacum cleaners.
Hear they are having 2 well know artists palying, One might be , Julio Iiglesias.
I can't say the word, gasman. without thinking of that British tv show, "Bottom". Super funny to me.
Too bad all this waste of money isn't funny as well.
   

    -@Marilyn Tassy

Oh, yes, his best mate. 

And it's a bit off when people are struggling with the cost of living to see that fella getting rich on the back of being matey with OV.

And the HU public pay for it.

        Banned from the ballot in Colorado.      -@fluffy2560Let the popcorn flow        -@SimCityATI don't really follow political issues but I did see something about him being banned in Co.What a freak show!!I saw a episode last night on 60 mins. Australia about the broken friendship between Melina and her former BFF who was her aide at the White House.Melinda threw her BFF of 15 years under the bus.Her ex-BFF gave a sort of tell all abut the Trumps.Bunch of self serving jerks to me.        -@Marilyn Tassy

I thought Melania would divorce him post-Stormy but it seems she's in for the long haul and her own self-interest.   Perhaps she feels she's owed after producing a kid - price of entry ticket to DT's mad cult.   I bet their personal life is barren post-Barron. 

        OV's ,"gasman "buddy is holding some huge Xmas party for over 20,000 employees of his.Using a conference room in one of OV's stadiums to hold the event.Big give away with a raffle.2 Suzuki's can be won, new washing machines and fridges. even robotic vacum cleaners.Hear they are having 2 well know artists palying, One might be , Julio Iiglesias.I can't say the word, gasman. without thinking of that British tv show, "Bottom". Super funny to me.Too bad all this waste of money isn't funny as well.        -@Marilyn Tassy

Oh, yes, his best mate. 

And it's a bit off when people are struggling with the cost of living to see that fella getting rich on the back of being matey with OV.

And the HU public pay for it.
   

    -@fluffy2560

I told my husband that instead of giving people such low odds on winning a new car, they should give them a months free gas...Give it to everyone in Hungary.

I guess I am a bit of a socialist after all.

He told me there are enough useless politicans out there, I didn't have to join their club.

I was told that Hungary gets more EU funds then any other country. Hard to believe, where is it going? I can't believe that's true.

Went to Lidl yesterday.

Question of the day... why on earth do they decide to always restock the store shelves during the busiest hours?

Every single place you tried to walk they had it blocked with a load of stuff to put on the shelves.

Between that and the people dragging a shopping basket behind them, it's more like suicide the shopping.

Also why don't these larger chains rent one of the many large empty commercial buildings located all over the place? Would make it a more pleasent shopping experience for customers and they could also sell other itmes like dry goods.

No, they lease out a tiny shop and try to fill it to the ceiling with itmes.

Nearly broke my neck trying to get through a line of people just to pick up a candy bar.

I enter these stores with a list of items in my mind, ready to fill up my basket. The moment I enter the store, I want to turn and run  out instead.

I get home and realize I've forgotten something.

Even with a list it never works out. Once you get in line , you don't dare leave to pick up something off your list that you might of passed by or couldn't see because of the restocking carts.

Sometimes I do miss grocery shopping in the US.

Large walkways, helpful staff, limited stocking being done during day light hours, even being asked it you want help taking your items to your car.Oh, I also forgot the smiling faces on the clerks and staff.. A rarity here!

Thought about the farmers market today, but nah, need a day to recover.

I told my husband that instead of giving people such low odds on winning a new car, they should give them a months free gas...Give it to everyone in Hungary.I guess I am a bit of a socialist after all.He told me there are enough useless politicans out there, I didn't have to join their club.I was told that Hungary gets more EU funds then any other country. Hard to believe, where is it going? I can't believe that's true.Went to Lidl yesterday.Question of the day... why on earth do they decide to always restock the store shelves during the busiest hours?Every single place you tried to walk they had it blocked with a load of stuff to put on the shelves.Between that and the people dragging a shopping basket behind them, it's more like suicide the shopping.Also why don't these larger chains rent one of the many large empty commercial buildings located all over the place? Would make it a more pleasent shopping experience for customers and they could also sell other itmes like dry goods.No, they lease out a tiny shop and try to fill it to the ceiling with itmes.Nearly broke my neck trying to get through a line of people just to pick up a candy bar.I enter these stores with a list of items in my mind, ready to fill up my basket. The moment I enter the store, I want to turn and run  out instead. I get home and realize I've forgotten something.Even with a list it never works out. Once you get in line , you don't dare leave to pick up something off your list that you might of passed by or couldn't see because of the restocking carts.Sometimes I do miss grocery shopping in the US.Large walkways, helpful staff, limited stocking being done during day light hours, even being asked it you want help taking your items to your car.Oh, I also forgot the smiling faces on the clerks and staff.. A rarity here!Thought about the farmers market today, but nah, need a day to recover.       -@Marilyn Tassy

HU obviously spends EU money on Fidesz vanity projects.  They've already been investigated for that and been damned for it in the European Parliament.  Not that it made any difference.  EU caves every time OV has a tantrum,  They already said they'd give him another 10 billion EUR.  I suppose it's like having an errant child currently addicted to drugs and wants or has joined some right wing fascist group.  Too much over indulgence but I expect they'll STFU over Xmas so we'll get a break from it. 

But we can always look over the pond to see what the Teflon Don is up to - he's becoming hysterical as his cult is attacked.  And I hear Tony Blair is on his way to Israel.  Like WTF?  That's the guy who promoted the Iraq war with Bush Junior!  OK, he did do well on Northern Ireland but hardly Mr Peace.  We're never going to let him forget it.

Lidl - mmm....it's a formula shop.  All the layouts are the same like Aldi.  Their MO is to sell the top 200 items people need.  It's really knocked the spots off Tesco etc.  I find the UK Lidls are much better than the HU ones.  In the UK, they are much bigger and they have self-service tills so there's no need to queue up at the cashier. Just put your stuff through yourself, touch payment on card, job done and away.  They have different things as well in UK Lidl - more special offers like clothing but fewer tools/hardware.   I think they must own all their shops except in the city versions.  Probably leased via some complex arrangements.   

The shops will be closed for 3 days I believe this coming weekend so that's why it's mobbed. Mrs F is going tomorrow to get enough in to cover the down time.  Looks like I'll have to work on 27th - 29th but only part-time. I've taken on too much really and cannot keep up so more fool me. I plan to be off New Years week. The dog  and I and hopefully Mrs F are going to spend time in the forest so long as it's not raining. 

I need to win that lottery so I can just give up the grind!

I think the most my husband won at one time in Vegas on a video poker machine was $1,000.

He never bothered to tell me he had won though!

He used that winning to play for months without dipping into our funds.

Still... I thought it was a 50-50 deal?

I'm just messing around, I did my fair share of damage over the years in the malls.

I've mentioned before we only had one real huge winner at our casino and he was playing Bac, baccarrat.

Bought in for $800. and got as high as $750,000 with several guards standing around him so no one would touch his chips(  cheques  as they call them in the bus)

It was so rare that the Vegas newspapers wrote up on it, front page news...

I wouldn't wish anyone knowing I hit it big in the papers.

I wonder how many people were hitting him up after that?

A co-worker left our casino after dealing there for over 9 years, she had allot of experience, went to the Paris casino when it first opened up.

She said she got bored passing out chips worth a million bucks each!

My heart would race when I handled the chips worth $1,000. The white ones...

When that guy was winning they went into the cold storage and took out the chips worth, $10,000 each , just so his piles wouldn't tip over. ( Not many peple won big at our casino so I guess the yellow chips were full of dust in storeage)

Silver, worth a dollar

Red worth $5.00

Green worth $25.00

Black worth  $100.

Whites worth $1,000.

and so one.

Think the $10,000 were yellow?

No idea what color a million dollar chips is. (I'd bet it has a tracker in it or is multi-colored)

You learn a professional lingo as a dealer.

Calls so the floor person knows if they need to refill your rack and to keep track of if the player or casino is winning.

The first time in school when they told us to use the term, "Black plays" I almost had a fit.

I thought they were being racist! How silly.

Depending on a dealers experience and how posh the casino is, they have you start calling out what chips you use when it gets to the blacks. ( $100.00)

After awhile they only had me call black plays when a new player was using them for the first time on my table. Guess they trusted me after all...

I worked for just a few days at a low level casino outside of Vegas who had us call out the greens! ($25.00.)

I can't imagine being responsable for a million dollar chip, yikes my nerves, don't want to wind up at the bottom of Lake Mead!!

I always dealt baccarrat almost everyday all day at one casino.

I liked it but the players are something else.

At all my next csino jbs I never let on I could deal bac. Didn't want to get stuck there all the time.

Most casinos where you can earn larger  tips need you to deal at least 2 games. I could deal 3 fairly well and was learning roulette. So many fantastic roulette dealers out there and I never had the oppertunity to learn the game at a small casnio. I wokred in better casinos, not the best but good enough without politics and not allot of pressure. perfect for me.Hard to just jump into the deep end on that game. I often gave up a break to help the roulette dealer, mucked chips and figured out the pay outs but it was nice to have a very experienced dealer on that game. Dealers would fight each other to deal that for the day.

I remember a red headed little lady who started to sream at the casino manager in front of everyone, players, other dealers just because she felt she didn't get enough time behind the wheel. I admit spinning the ball was fun. Had everyones fortune in your hands.

No way was I going to hassle myself to deal that game with so many better dealers wanting to do it.Too bad though. My son loved dealing that game when  he dealt, Most dealer love it.

He was working dwntown in one of Binons casinos. Very god place to learn to deal. Mostly old drunks coming in and a 10 cent whell at that time.

People would like to see chips in frnt of them but each chip was only worth a dime, not dllars or hundreds of dollars per chip.

They' have stacks of chips in front of them  but when they cashed in maybe they were worth $3.00.

The bosses in those sorts of low level casinos didnt care if the dealers made a mistake when a chip was only worth a dime.

Another story when they are worth a buck or more each and you give away to many.

No thanks, I didn't need the pressure.

It used to be the more games you culd deal, the more per hour you gt paid. Not like that any longer. f course the more yu know the easier it is to get hired.

My fave sort of day was bring a breaker. 20 mins on 3 different games then a 20 mins break.

No way around it, we will have hit the stores at least one or two more times before the 23rd. Aldi is suppose to be open on the 24th till noon.

On the subject of casinos...

In the 1970's we visited Vegas.

Went into the now defunked casino, "El Rancho".

My husband noticed a dealer he thought he knew from Hungary.

He just told me the other day that this guy actually sat next to him in grade school for about 4 years in Budapest.

Small world.

I had no idea they went back that far.

We sat at the guys blackjack table, well my husband did. I don't gamble really.

I also learned this guy had returned to Hungary and wrote a book in Hungarian on how to count cards.

Wonder how many copies he sold?

    On the subject of casinos...In the 1970's we visited Vegas.Went into the now defunked casino, "El Rancho".My husband noticed a dealer he thought he knew from Hungary.He just told me the other day that this guy actually sat next to him in grade school for about 4 years in Budapest.Small world.I had no idea they went back that far.We sat at the guys blackjack table, well my husband did. I don't gamble really.I also learned this guy had returned to Hungary and wrote a book in Hungarian on how to count cards.Wonder how many copies he sold?        -@Marilyn Tassy

Maybe he's living in a mansion in California now and selling thousands of card counting books to punters after a "system"! 

I think there must be a publishers site showing how many book titles are being sold. I think in the USA, a published book copy must be in the Library of Congress.  In my own country, you can request any published book at the local library.  They will get you a copy from within the entire library system. 

I used to love going to the library as a kid.  We used to go with my Dad. He's get books out about Mountains of Austria or German Houses of the 18th Century or English Country Churches.  Meanwhile, we'd be reading kids books in the kids section.  Being able to read is transformative for kids.  Opens up all the world's knowledge. 

Unfortunately who goes to the library nowadays?  Everyone can Google instead. Shame.

LV is such a crazy place. Disneyland for adults.

    I think the most my husband won at one time in Vegas on a video poker machine was $1,000.
He never bothered to tell me he had won though!
He used that winning to play for months without dipping into our funds.
Still... I thought it was a 50-50 deal?
I'm just messing around, I did my fair share of damage over the years in the malls.
I've mentioned before we only had one real huge winner at our casino and he was playing Bac, baccarrat.
Bought in for $800. and got as high as $750,000 with several guards standing around him so no one would touch his chips(  cheques  as they call them in the bus)
It was so rare that the Vegas newspapers wrote up on it, front page news...
I wouldn't wish anyone knowing I hit it big in the papers.
I wonder how many people were hitting him up after that?
A co-worker left our casino after dealing there for over 9 years, she had allot of experience, went to the Paris casino when it first opened up.
She said she got bored passing out chips worth a million bucks each!
My heart would race when I handled the chips worth $1,000. The white ones...
When that guy was winning they went into the cold storage and took out the chips worth, $10,000 each , just so his piles wouldn't tip over. ( Not many peple won big at our casino so I guess the yellow chips were full of dust in storeage)

Silver, worth a dollar
Red worth $5.00
Green worth $25.00
Black worth  $100.
Whites worth $1,000.
and so one.
Think the $10,000 were yellow?
No idea what color a million dollar chips is. (I'd bet it has a tracker in it or is multi-colored)
You learn a professional lingo as a dealer.
Calls so the floor person knows if they need to refill your rack and to keep track of if the player or casino is winning.
The first time in school when they told us to use the term, "Black plays" I almost had a fit.
I thought they were being racist! How silly.
Depending on a dealers experience and how posh the casino is, they have you start calling out what chips you use when it gets to the blacks. ( $100.00)
After awhile they only had me call black plays when a new player was using them for the first time on my table. Guess they trusted me after all...
I worked for just a few days at a low level casino outside of Vegas who had us call out the greens! ($25.00.)
I can't imagine being responsable for a million dollar chip, yikes my nerves, don't want to wind up at the bottom of Lake Mead!!
I always dealt baccarrat almost everyday all day at one casino.
I liked it but the players are something else.
At all my next csino jbs I never let on I could deal bac. Didn't want to get stuck there all the time.
Most casinos where you can earn larger  tips need you to deal at least 2 games. I could deal 3 fairly well and was learning roulette. So many fantastic roulette dealers out there and I never had the oppertunity to learn the game at a small casnio. I wokred in better casinos, not the best but good enough without politics and not allot of pressure. perfect for me.Hard to just jump into the deep end on that game. I often gave up a break to help the roulette dealer, mucked chips and figured out the pay outs but it was nice to have a very experienced dealer on that game. Dealers would fight each other to deal that for the day.
I remember a red headed little lady who started to sream at the casino manager in front of everyone, players, other dealers just because she felt she didn't get enough time behind the wheel. I admit spinning the ball was fun. Had everyones fortune in your hands.
No way was I going to hassle myself to deal that game with so many better dealers wanting to do it.Too bad though. My son loved dealing that game when  he dealt, Most dealer love it.
He was working dwntown in one of Binons casinos. Very god place to learn to deal. Mostly old drunks coming in and a 10 cent whell at that time.
People would like to see chips in frnt of them but each chip was only worth a dime, not dllars or hundreds of dollars per chip.
They' have stacks of chips in front of them  but when they cashed in maybe they were worth $3.00.
The bosses in those sorts of low level casinos didnt care if the dealers made a mistake when a chip was only worth a dime.
Another story when they are worth a buck or more each and you give away to many.
No thanks, I didn't need the pressure.
It used to be the more games you culd deal, the more per hour you gt paid. Not like that any longer. f course the more yu know the easier it is to get hired.
My fave sort of day was bring a breaker. 20 mins on 3 different games then a 20 mins break.


No way around it, we will have hit the stores at least one or two more times before the 23rd. Aldi is suppose to be open on the 24th till noon.
   
    -@Marilyn Tassy

I didn't know any of that about the chips and the lingo.

I have played poker once or twice around the kitchen table during a boozy night with some Hungarians. It was somewhat OK in a strange way.  Vaguely I think maximum bet was 100 Ft.  I really feel uncomfortable playing for money.  I didn't know anything much about it but I said strange and what I meant by that is that I won!  I think it was something like 2500 HUF.  We should have played for matchsticks as I didn't want to take money from people like that.  And I find it quite scary putting real money down even if it was 100 HUF.  Same goes for horse racing - seems too random.   But I don't quite have the same feelings with stock markets.  Those you can research and have inside knowledge. 

Quite weird thing that kind of thing - I am afraid of heights but I like aeroplanes and flying.  But while I like the idea of parachuting I don't think I've got the guts to do it as it's not controlled by an engine and proper controls.

   
    So many stories on so or so much divorce of husbands or wifes, in my view if you are married you make a commitment, at the start there is love and probably sex; afterwards you should and will be become trusted friends. Marriage is for life, if you like it or not!!        -@cdw057

I don't think anyone should live a life of misery just because they make a bad judgement call and married the wrong person.
It will not work if only one in the marriage is committed.
My son was very immature when he married his first wife. He had a crazy idea that he owed his ancestors something. He said he had to marry a Hungarian women.


We had a neighbor in Ca. who was from Armenia. He was a very large man but jolly enough.
He had an arranged marriage and flew back home to meet and pick up his bride.
She was very sweet and I never gave any thought to if that was a good thing or bad to have it arranged because they both seemed happy enough.
They made a bargin I suppose with thier families.

My parents divorced and so did my husband in a time where it was very uncommon.
My husband was only 18 months old when his parents broke up. My MIL never physically met with her ex-husband again, even had arrangements for visits with his children handled by someone else so not to see him again in the flesh.
He was a broken man after the war and couldn't hold down a job to support his 3 children. He had been a spoiled rich boy growing up and couldnt adjust to being a working stiff.
Later when he got his head together he remarried and had another child.
My MIL was a single mom post WW11 with 3 children to riase on her own.
Later she remarried too but she still supported her children and never had her new husband spend a dime on them. His money was his own.

My parents divorced when I was 7. My father had a wandering eye and got my mothers BFF a married lady , pregnant. What a shame on my father. This family lived right across the st. from us too.
How did my mother stand seeing that women in her yard knowing she was carrying my fathers child?
My dad is lucky they divorced and my mother didn murder the two of them.
How could a person be expected to stay in such a marriage
   

    -@Marilyn Tassy

I do agree with cdw057: marriage is for life.

Better to be a widow than divorced.

Arranged marriages worked trought history and works nowdays because those made with principles and a logical - perceptional matching by semi-outsider eyes. To fall into love, and individually decide about marriage (or divorce) is just modern nonsense which did led to the broken societies nowdays.

Also monogamy is broken-dysfunctional concept in the recent century and especially since the mad 60-70's.

Made some sense when they find out the concept with all the attached duties/ privilages and maintaned the whole , like in the middle ages but not since that.

Nowdays as per return to old practices and bilogical/ ethological basics only poligamy capable to work in regard of the wider society as other concepts broken.

Xmas TV watching thoughts:

Boat Story - comedy/drama about drug dealing gone wrong and mayhem that follows.  Might be hard to find, was on Amazon and BBC.

Rebel Moon - mega-SciFi in vein of Star Wars.  Should be on Netflix as of today (22 December).

Dr Who - a new younger incarnation of the Doctor makes a debut fighting Xmas space goblins. What's not to like? Happens all the time.

I as a "mature" person do believe in marriage for life BUT under some circumatances I do think cutting ties is best.

I'm from the generation that didn't even believe in marriage. This Dec. 31st will be our offical 45th ani.

Known my Laszlo since 1975 but resisted getting things offical until he said he was paying too much in taxes as a single filer...

So,"romantic" to get marriage to save money!

Ups and downs but mostly ups!

Different temperments and differnt cultures..

Now days we are 2 peas in a pod!

    I as a "mature" person do believe in marriage for life BUT under some circumatances I do think cutting ties is best.
I'm from the generation that didn't even believe in marriage. This Dec. 31st will be our offical 45th ani.
Known my Laszlo since 1975 but resisted getting things offical until he said he was paying too much in taxes as a single filer...
So,"romantic" to get marriage to save money!
Ups and downs but mostly ups!
Different temperments and differnt cultures..
Now days we are 2 peas in a pod!
   

    -@Marilyn Tassy

I think I agree but with similar caveats.

It's good to stay together but it's not at all cost.  If someone is (or both are) unhappy then what's the point of wasting time on it?  Best to stop and go separate ways.   Why waste one's life in some kind of pain?  It doesn't have to be sad or aggressive, it can just be like winding up an adventure.  There can always be a new one down the road. 

Mrs and F and I were married before when we were much younger. That made us realise all the mistakes (well most of them) and we can weigh up what is valuable and how to live with another person and to have  respect for them.  It really sums up as respect being the key. If you respect the other person, it means doing the right thing for the other person, i.e. sacrifice is the ultimate love. 

On the other hand, two peas in a pod takes some years to come to fruition.

Then there's that telepathy between couples - guessing what the other one is thinking or finishing each others thoughts.   This is when I think it gets to be a really serious tuned in relationship.  Being on the same wavelength is really super comfortable.

Yes, we often finish each others sentences, it's creepy sometimes.

My sister and I had a connection where we thught the same way and didn't have to say anything.

I'm not that close to any of my other siblings like that.

I swear there were several times we showed up at our mom's home frm a Sunday dinner and we both were wearing exactly the same outfits! I'm not talking about jeans and a T-shirt. I mean Knee high pants like a pair of designer made jodphurs bought at a small boutique on Melrose Ave. in Hollywoood, not only the pants but we had on the exact red blouse bought in a high end store!

My sister couldn't really afford this sort of outfit, her BF and she picked them out without telling me first.

Another time it was the exactly pair of Frye boots, once a black leather jacket with skirt also purchased in Hollywood at a small shop.

We'd go out somewhere and each be wearing a bluse and skirt with flats or an outfit twins would put together.

We never discussed what to wear beforehand either.

Seeing her show up in those jodhpurs and red printed shirt was really something. We couldn't believe it and no else did either!

My husband and I don't dress the same, thankfully.

I think it's weird when 2 old people are wearing the same outfits .

See that allot in Florida or on the golf course.

I'd like to dress my husband at times. I like him in a sports jacket with jeans, nice boots and a nice shirt on.

Like he used to dress, now he doesn't give it as much effort. I do catch him looking in the full length mirror a bit too long at times, Guess he still is a bit of a Dandy.

    Yes, we often finish each others sentences, it's creepy sometimes.
My sister and I had a connection where we thught the same way and didn't have to say anything.
I'm not that close to any of my other siblings like that.
I swear there were several times we showed up at our mom's home frm a Sunday dinner and we both were wearing exactly the same outfits! I'm not talking about jeans and a T-shirt. I mean Knee high pants like a pair of designer made jodphurs bought at a small boutique on Melrose Ave. in Hollywoood, not only the pants but we had on the exact red blouse bought in a high end store!
My sister couldn't really afford this sort of outfit, her BF and she picked them out without telling me first.
Another time it was the exactly pair of Frye boots, once a black leather jacket with skirt also purchased in Hollywood at a small shop.
We'd go out somewhere and each be wearing a bluse and skirt with flats or an outfit twins would put together.
We never discussed what to wear beforehand either.
Seeing her show up in those jodhpurs and red printed shirt was really something. We couldn't believe it and no else did either!
My husband and I don't dress the same, thankfully.
I think it's weird when 2 old people are wearing the same outfits .
See that allot in Florida or on the golf course.
I'd like to dress my husband at times. I like him in a sports jacket with jeans, nice boots and a nice shirt on.
Like he used to dress, now he doesn't give it as much effort. I do catch him looking in the full length mirror a bit too long at times, Guess he still is a bit of a Dandy.
   
    -@Marilyn Tassy

It's not just creepy partner mind reading as you say, it extends to siblings for sure.

I had a similar dressing style as my dearly departed brother. We bought the same jumpers (cardigans) even bought the same gadgets at about the same time.  We looked very alike as well.  So much so, his kids when about 4 or 5 mistook me for him at the swimming pool!   Fundamentally I'm a scruffy bugger wannabe. 

I was looking at a dude in a work video conference and boy was he a dapper kind of guy.  Looked like he was going to some official meeting or a wedding. Looked so sharp he could have cut paper.  And I had my hoodie on and a T-shirt.   I just cannot do it properly and moreover I cannot keep up standards.  I forget to comb my hair and get muddled up trying to get things to match.  I make bad choices.

I think I'm doing OK when I can wear my Lidl Xmas socks.

Mrs Fluffy did try and tidy me up but it seems like I've forced her to dress down. 

Our Fluffyettes are not at all like me.   They know how to look hip and fashionable.  I am not sure where they get that from!

Maybe my hairdressing grandma - I remember here as being always turned out nicely in her twinset and pearls, Her bouffant hair throughly bouffed. 

So, I'm not the only one who had a sibling twin born in different years.

As girls, strangers used to think we were thriplets when the 3 of us were together. Hard to believe, I was tall for my age but the eldest is 7 years older then me.

My deceased sister and i really did look allot alike.

She was slightly taller and my husband says I'm more ,"girly" in body type when she was full of straight lines, slim hips and thinner face then I but very close to looking like twins.

The weirdest thing happened when I was in my 20's.

I had an appointment for a haircut inside a salon my friend worked in at a hotel in LA.

Sort of an exclusive place, semi-posh.

I got in the lift to the salon , a couple people were in already.

Just before the doors closed a rough looking dude with his arm in a cast grabbed me out of the blue.

The doors closed as he held me tight and kissed me hard on the lips!!! WTH??

He then said,"How ya doin' Babe?"

I pushed away and he looked closer at me and realized I wasn't my sister!

It was super uncomfortable because he was also going to get his hair cut in the salon.

I told my sister( and husband who wasn't too happy) that she had better not be owing anyone money cause I wasn't about to get my legs broken for her!

Fast forward about a year. I was assisting in Carltons hair salon in Westwood, Ca.

Someone in the shop was having a house party and we all were invited.

I wasn't going,but unknown to me my sister was going to the party. ( She was a clinet and friend of my boss)

I was a new hire and the stylists didn't know me all that well yet.

Well, my sister, did her thing, loud behavior , didn't say hi to the stylists because she didn't know them etc.

Back at work the next workday everyone was giving me the evil eye.

No idea why until someone said I acted werid at the party.

Spent the rest of the day going over to each stylist saying it wasn't me at the party.

IDK if they ever beleived me or not.

My husband doens't put a ton of effort into dressing up these days really.

He used to wear a suit and tie just for a Sunday dinner at my mom's house.

He was slim and suits looked great on him.

Now they sit in the closet out of style and none fit him any longer...

In hs youth he would spend a couple months wages having custom suits made here in Budapest. Very MOD kid.

Had to have at least 3 or 4 MOD tight fitting suits with overcoat and pointed shoes or you just weren't cool.

Actually he was dressed so nice when I met him, I might of fallen in love with his style before him.

Now days he can get dressed in 5 mins, as before it took him hours.

Not really feeling the holidays.

I don't plan on allowing myself to partake of them anyways.

I had been watching short videos on U tube from Doberman Planet.

Dreamt about my Dobbie all last night. Not going to watch that  channel any longer. Brings up too many memories, most good ones but on Dec. 26th 1999 we lost our Maxwell.

I had no idea that Doberman were banned in some countires. Ireland, Ukraine, Romania and some Arab countries.

No idea why. They are sweet,dogs and in the top 5 in intelligence.

Speaking of seaweed, from another post.

Makes me think of ,"freak" accidents.

My boys' ex GF's grandfather died sadly of a seaweed accident.

He was on his little boat in Japan collecting seaweed when he drown.

Before that, her grandmother died while walking  to the corner market.

She was hit by a car.

2 freak accidents in the same family to a married couple.

I suppose these odd accidents can happen to anyone , anywhere.

I know I almost blew myself up by lighting an oven. Almost broke my neck falling off a horse too.

My step-fathers SIL was zapped while working on a power line with his job with the electric co. in N. Ca. He co-worker turned on the juice too soon.

I know a few people who were hit by car or in car crashes but one that was really horrible was what happened to a guy named Felix  A. Balboa in my school.

He was a funny kid, knew him from ages 10 to his passing at 16.

He lost his head in a car accident, went through the windscreen head first.

My husband had a few close calls as a child.

Almoost drown, feel in the icy waters of the Danube as well as many other close calls while surfing.

My friend neighbor burnt himself in a garage while fixing his car. He was airlifted to the burn unit but died a few days later, he blew up his car while working on it.

He nearly set other homes on fire.

Not sure why such a morbid subject caught my attention. This time of year I beleive many people get wreckless and have accidents.

Be safe people.

According to Mrs F fuel prices will rise 24 HUF/litre tomorrow (1st Jan 2024).  Apparently today's the day to get filled up to save a few forints.

I am wondering what prompted this rise.  Fuel prices were dropping recently but may it seems - be creeping up again.  Might be OPEC problems.

The cost of driving to the petrol/gas station probably offsets any savings. Forward and be damned.

    Speaking of seaweed, from another post.Makes me think of ,"freak" accidents.My boys' ex GF's grandfather died sadly of a seaweed accident.He was on his little boat in Japan collecting seaweed when he drown.Before that, her grandmother died while walking  to the corner market.She was hit by a car.2 freak accidents in the same family to a married couple.I suppose these odd accidents can happen to anyone , anywhere.I know I almost blew myself up by lighting an oven. Almost broke my neck falling off a horse too.My step-fathers SIL was zapped while working on a power line with his job with the electric co. in N. Ca. He co-worker turned on the juice too soon.I know a few people who were hit by car or in car crashes but one that was really horrible was what happened to a guy named Felix  A. Balboa in my school.He was a funny kid, knew him from ages 10 to his passing at 16.He lost his head in a car accident, went through the windscreen head first.My husband had a few close calls as a child.Almoost drown, feel in the icy waters of the Danube as well as many other close calls while surfing.My friend neighbor burnt himself in a garage while fixing his car. He was airlifted to the burn unit but died a few days later, he blew up his car while working on it.He nearly set other homes on fire.Not sure why such a morbid subject caught my attention. This time of year I beleive many people get wreckless and have accidents.Be safe people.        -@Marilyn Tassy

You see, that just proves it.  Japanese food related activities will kill you in horrible ways.  I always thought Sushi was horrible - maybe that's just intuition that it's dicing with death.  Like that fish dish in Japan that's mega-poisonous.  Who in their right mind would take the risk? 

My last dice with death was walking with Mrs F and our Fluffyettes in the UK.    A large lump of twisted metal fell off a passing truck's roof and nearly hit us. Missed us by about 1m (3ft).  I think one of us would have been seriously injured or killed if it had hit us on the head or body.  The truck didn't stop at all.  Probably the driver didn't even notice what happened.

I've been electrocuted several times but nothing that would kill you.  I exercise extreme caution always.  When I did get zapped, it was all my fault for not paying attention to what I was doing.   I always think that the token system used on railways was a good idea.  If you didn't hold the token (which could be anything), you didn't have exclusive possession of the single/shared track section. If you did hold the token, you could run on that section until you handed the token back at the next signal box. 

Same with switchgear - until you hold the token (which is held by the person doing the work), you cannot turn the power on at all.   You can only get the token when the one wielding the tools has finished and physically handed over the token to the one who switches the power on again. 

Like on planes, the PF (Pilot Flying) has to say, "I have control" (kind of verbal token) when they take over.   

Simple ideas but works but relies on people following the rules.   Of course some people think the rules don't apply to them.

I and my small son were walking on a Bvld. in Hollywood with my sister and niece.

The children were still small so I'd guess it was somewhere in the mid 80's or so.

We headed back to my sisters car and out of nowhere a huge heavy duty hammer came down from above us.

It was about an inch from my sisters skull.

It breezed through her hair, it came that close.

It hit the sidewalk with thunder.Bounced a few feet.

Some jack As@ working above dropped it.

My God, it was so darn close to breaking her head wide open and killing her!

It was like time stood still during it all.

My sister picked up the hammer, we all crused the guy out and she also told him to come down if he wanted his hammer back. Of course my sis and I and the children would of ripped him a new one!

Chicken sh@@ dude. We should of actually made it known to his boss what had happened. but then again, they probably wouldn't of cared a ratz bum. This is the age of carelessness.

Yes, I've given myself a zap or two with stupidly putting a fork in the toaster...

I once had a wet hand and upluged a fan in our WC. Zap!

The strangest thing is once as a teen I took some nicacine. My God, what a high that was, not cool.

It's easier then we think to do yourself in by accident.

Most of us have our guardian angles working overtime.

    I and my small son were walking on a Bvld. in Hollywood with my sister and niece.
The children were still small so I'd guess it was somewhere in the mid 80's or so.
We headed back to my sisters car and out of nowhere a huge heavy duty hammer came down from above us.
It was about an inch from my sisters skull.
It breezed through her hair, it came that close.
It hit the sidewalk with thunder.Bounced a few feet.
Some jack As@ working above dropped it.
My God, it was so darn close to breaking her head wide open and killing her!
It was like time stood still during it all.
My sister picked up the hammer, we all crused the guy out and she also told him to come down if he wanted his hammer back. Of course my sis and I and the children would of ripped him a new one!
Chicken sh@@ dude. We should of actually made it known to his boss what had happened. but then again, they probably wouldn't of cared a ratz bum. This is the age of carelessness.
Yes, I've given myself a zap or two with stupidly putting a fork in the toaster...
I once had a wet hand and upluged a fan in our WC. Zap!
The strangest thing is once as a teen I took some nicacine. My God, what a high that was, not cool.
It's easier then we think to do yourself in by accident.
Most of us have our guardian angels working overtime.
   

    -@Marilyn Tassy

Not Maxwell's Silver Hammer thank god.  They should have assembled netting around the building to stop that kind of problem.  Be a firing offence.

Mrs F has finally thrown away the iron that kept tripping the safety device (RCD/GFCI) so we can rest easy somewhat.

I've also had a fork in the toaster but I'm now using knives with plastic handles.  Ok, no, not really, I unplug it before trying to get something out.

We've had our fireworks and now the neighbours have started.  The dog is completely uninterested.  Won't be long before 2023 is behind us.

My issue with Fireworks is that the little shits start a 2pm. Don't really mind the ones that give a nice display its the Bangs that annoy me. They seem to get louder each year.

    My issue with Fireworks is that the little shits start a 2pm. Don't really mind the ones that give a nice display its the Bangs that annoy me. They seem to get louder each year.
   

    -@SimCityAT

Not here.  Fireworks are not allowed until after 18h and must be over by 05h next day.

Our dog just continues snoozing.  Maybe she's going as deaf as I seem to be.

It's banging now and she's fast asleep at my feet.

Older people don't like loud noises. I know that for sure.  But I can tolerate the fireworks once a year.

I didn't hear the fireworks at all.

Glad I went to sleep early and slept through it all.

Being in a car behind load of junk is dangerous.

I dislike it the few times we followed a gravel truck, pits in the winshield/screen.

I still am not sure which wording I like better, the American version or the British.

WC sounds nicer then John or toilet .

Jumper vs sweater, sweater sound better to me but windscreen sounds better then shield.

Tele or tv?

Still confusing to hear chips for fries .

I know we should of demaned to see the project manager when that hammer was dropped.

It would of defo killed any of us if it had made contact with our head.

My sister felt the hammer going through her hair as it grazed her head.

I try to avoid the scaffolds here when they are doing house repairs outside a building.

I'm sure there is no one to sue if they hurt you by their careless work habits.

It was a high quailty hammer, my sister kept it. We invited the guy to come down if he wanted it back...He wouldn't take the bait!

Sun is out, have to take our traditional NYD walk.

My friend in AZ and her husband sort of have us going.

Can't figure out how they can keep making bad business deals and still not be homeless....

They bought a used car recently for $26,000.

Their old car was one of their cheaper purchases for a car.

Only cost them $4,000 with 155,000 miles on it.  A van.

They put on 3,000 miles  and the tranny was acting up.

They stored it but as far as I know it was still running.

They put it in the paper and got over 50 calls to sell it.

Asking price was only $1,200.

Someone called to tell them they did a carfax report on the car and found out the previous owners rolled back the ottometer, the car might of had another 100,000 on it for all they knew.

Her husband changed the add to only $600.

Then some guy from Utah was interested in it away.

They voluneeterd to give him gas/petrol money, $100. off the top!

Why? 50 callers and you are paying someone to take away your car so cheap?

Then her husband looked again at the car and thought the clear coat on the roof wasn't the best. He called the guy and told him he'd sell him the car for $350.!

What??? I thought it was ,"as is".

In the end some caller wanted money for the carfax reprt that they never asked for.

Man, since the car was still running I think they scammed themselves.

Going from $1,200 to $350. isn't the best business deal of all time, not on their part at least.

They are always giving away money, Ukraine,Maui, animals in distress etc.

They are on a fixed income .

Made my husbands head spin when I told him what a deal they had with selling their unused running car...

Just needed to drop in a new tranny and there you are. The car repair shop told them it would cost over $6,000 for a new tranny, I'm sure they could of shopped around for a better deal.

We dislike seeing anyone get scammed but they walked right into it.

I know they both take ,"gummies" but just how much THC are in those things?

    I didn't hear the fireworks at all.
Glad I went to sleep early and slept through it all.
Being in a car behind load of junk is dangerous.
I dislike it the few times we followed a gravel truck, pits in the winshield/screen.
I still am not sure which wording I like better, the American version or the British.
WC sounds nicer then John or toilet .
Jumper vs sweater, sweater sound better to me but windscreen sounds better then shield.
Tele or tv?
Still confusing to hear chips for fries .
I know we should of demaned to see the project manager when that hammer was dropped.
It would of defo killed any of us if it had made contact with our head.
My sister felt the hammer going through her hair as it grazed her head.
I try to avoid the scaffolds here when they are doing house repairs outside a building.
I'm sure there is no one to sue if they hurt you by their careless work habits.
It was a high quailty hammer, my sister kept it. We invited the guy to come down if he wanted it back...He wouldn't take the bait!
Sun is out, have to take our traditional NYD walk.

My friend in AZ and her husband sort of have us going.
Can't figure out how they can keep making bad business deals and still not be homeless....
They bought a used car recently for $26,000.
Their old car was one of their cheaper purchases for a car.
Only cost them $4,000 with 155,000 miles on it.  A van.
They put on 3,000 miles  and the tranny was acting up.
They stored it but as far as I know it was still running.
They put it in the paper and got over 50 calls to sell it.
Asking price was only $1,200.
Someone called to tell them they did a carfax report on the car and found out the previous owners rolled back the ottometer, the car might of had another 100,000 on it for all they knew.
Her husband changed the add to only $600.
Then some guy from Utah was interested in it away.
They voluneeterd to give him gas/petrol money, $100. off the top!
Why? 50 callers and you are paying someone to take away your car so cheap?
Then her husband looked again at the car and thought the clear coat on the roof wasn't the best. He called the guy and told him he'd sell him the car for $350.!
What??? I thought it was ,"as is".
In the end some caller wanted money for the carfax reprt that they never asked for.
Man, since the car was still running I think they scammed themselves.
Going from $1,200 to $350. isn't the best business deal of all time, not on their part at least.
They are always giving away money, Ukraine,Maui, animals in distress etc.
They are on a fixed income .
Made my husbands head spin when I told him what a deal they had with selling their unused running car...
Just needed to drop in a new tranny and there you are. The car repair shop told them it would cost over $6,000 for a new tranny, I'm sure they could of shopped around for a better deal.
We dislike seeing anyone get scammed but they walked right into it.
I know they both take ,"gummies" but just how much THC are in those things?
   
    -@Marilyn Tassy

British and American English are of course dialects like many others.  Luckily we don't have a central authority for English - unlike the French - so it just develops anyway it wants. Plenty of words come in each year and plenty go out.   Of course, we (British) see so many US TV shows, we're familiar with many of the differences but probably it's not the same the other way for those out in the USA sticks.  Australian English differs again - dunny for toilet and yute for pickup truck.  Probably most British people won't know that.  We also say "loads of stuff" but Australia/NZ say "heaps".   But meh, more international TV is needed to increase exposure and familiarity.

I was watching Arnold Schwarzenegger in the fast paced Netflix TV show FUBAR (it's really quite fun) and he speaks sometimes in German and acknowledges his Austrian ethnic background. It's interestingly done.  I actually think he does a good job in the show.  He and his co-stars have a talent for comedy timing.  His politics suck big time but I am quite impressed with his acting/comedy.  Some quirky stuff.  His ex-wife (in the show) is probably a mirror of Arnie's housekeeper with whom he had a kid on the side.

I'd have kept the hammer too.  I have a collection of hammers.  One for every occasion.   Not sure what occasions but maybe the hammers decide.

Gearbox for a van from the breakers/scrapyard probably wouldn't cost more than $1000 for low mileage. Maybe another $600 to put it in (2-3 hours) and tops $50 for oil change. It's not that difficult for even a hobby mechanic but to do it fast, you really need a car lift and gearbox stands to make it easy peasy.   Sounds like they've lost the plot.  If they wanted a complete refurbed unit, then maybe $2000 returning the old one and brand new one could be like $6000.  Anyone paying $6000 for one is off the wall nuts.  Easy for me to say as I like fiddling and fixing stuff.

I've been looking for a new axle for my hobby car. I repaired the previous one but setting up is difficult without proper tools and the axle out the car.  But over here, trying to get one from a scrapyard/breakers is proving very difficult, especially one with the right ratios etc. All of then ones I've seen I'd have to re-do which makes it all pointless.  I've also seen a brand new gearbox on an Austria website but it's for a slightly later model.  I've thought about it and it might work but we'd have to drive over there and it's almost Germany. I'd only be buying it for spares. 

Living in the countryside, I have fields around me and everyone has a garden, I can see both of my neighbouring towns when the fireworks are set off at Midnight. In fact before, the sky just lights up. It's all pretty and all, it's the ones that sound like a bomb going off, I see no point in those.They would have woken you up Marilyn even the room shakes.

Looks like work again tomorrow.

I shall have to play catch up. 

It's already amazing how quickly 2024 (and holidays) are passing.   

The only significant thing I noticed is one of my clocks (weather station) decided it was 30th of Month 0 - not sure when that actually is.

Like a kind of millennium  bug.  A quick reboot and it was back to normal.

    Living in the countryside, I have fields around me and everyone has a garden, I can see both of my neighbouring towns when the fireworks are set off at Midnight. In fact before, the sky just lights up. It's all pretty and all, it's the ones that sound like a bomb going off, I see no point in those.They would have woken you up Marilyn even the room shakes.
   

    -@SimCityAT

Speaking of shaking....

My son hasn't contacted me about the earthquake in Japan.

He lives 600 miles from the center of the quake but I'm sure they felt it.

He lives near  the sea of Japan .

Maybe growing up in S.Ca. made him immune to earthquakes upsetting him?

Speaking of shaking....My son hasn't contacted me about the earthquake in Japan.He lives 600 miles from the center of the quake but I'm sure they felt it.He lives near  the sea of Japan .Maybe growing up in S.Ca. made him immune to earthquakes upsetting him?        -@Marilyn Tassy

I think quakes are so common there and CA, no-one really notices that much.   I was in a quake earlier this year when I was near Japan and no-one said anything much.  Looks like normal but obviously for here, it's highly unusual.  Japan is in the news a  lot.  The plane on fire at Haneda Airport is the top story.  Looks like everyone got out so we can be thankful for that.  The others in the other plane weren't so lucky.

Mrs F said there were many house fires in HU over the New Year and people died.  Smoke alarms should be compulsory here.  In my own country, the Fire Brigade give smoke detectors away regularly. It's preventative and life saving.   My BIL bought my MIL a smoke alarm but even if it goes off, my MIL's grip on reality is so far gone now she wouldn't know what to do  about it. 

In some ways, her increasing confusion is amusing - like opening the window as a prelude to leaving the house. Yes, the window is the way to go out, not the door.  And saying she had visitors (usually dead ones) for lunch.  She also wasn't happy the person bringing her lunch didn't serve it to her (not their job, they are a restaurant doing home deliveries) or her friends calling are surprised to hear she's in the hospital and her own house phone is connected there (cannot recognise her own home and the people in it).  She also is beginning not to remember who people are (didn't remember her own son for a few minutes).  Makes you wonder how this will end - if she loses "contact" with her kids, it's hard to imagine what that could mean for Mrs F and her brother (my BIL).

One good thing is that Mrs F now no longer tries to correct her mother.  She just agrees with her and usually it's all forgotten by her mother in minutes.  It's easy dementia. No need to stress, just say, "that's nice", "Ok", "good" and move on.  Weirdly twisted reality.

A film I really want to see, (actually my sister's husband's grandfather was part of the team that helped.)

One Life

The period drama tells the true story of Nicholas Winton and how he helped rescue hundreds of Jewish children in Czechoslovakia on the eve of the Second World War, and a lot of its filming actually took place in Prague - where many scenes are set.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ethollg-PI