Absolutely Anything Else

Sounds like a , grave , situation.

I told my husband about the extra dirt and he thinks someone just wants to make a bit of side money by charging to remove it.

Hope it is sorted out soon without any bother.

He is always thinking people here love to charge for things you do not really need;

He did clean the calcium with vinegar and used a wire brush, Good enough to reuse, last time we replaced that part too.

There is a small private shop down from us that carries water heaters and parts. An older couple runs it.

He was hoping the man would be in because he is more knowledgeable then the wife is.

She sold him 2 parts when we really only needed one; My husband had a gut feeling as to why the heater went off; It is actually a tiny screw was loose and water leaked on it making the wire short out. It is good though that he cleaned it out and looked inside; Said it could be replaced in 4 to 5 years; If we had called out a plumber he probably would of tried to sell us a new one place labor. That said,he cleaned so good and for so many hours yesterday that he had to stop before it was done. Up at 1 am while I was sleeping looking at the main wire; He Jerry rigged another wire to test out his theory, yes we need to just pick up another wire with the hot, cold and ground in it. The wire we have to test it out was thick enough to see the problem but not strong enough to heat up the tank.

OK, almost done! One more day of Turkish bathing!

He is sort of happy with himself for doing the job; He said a man needs to prove himself once in awhile to himself.  IDK, I would of just called someone out and gotten scammed; A new water heater is at least 150,000 or more.

He spent all of 15,000 yesterday and could of just gotten the one part for 7,000 if he did not let that women talk him into it. No returns I guess.

Sounds like a , grave , situation.
I told my husband about the extra dirt and he thinks someone just wants to make a bit of side money by charging to remove it.
Hope it is sorted out soon without any bother.
He is always thinking people here love to charge for things you do not really need;
He did clean the calcium with vinegar and used a wire brush, Good enough to reuse, last time we replaced that part too.
There is a small private shop down from us that carries water heaters and parts. An older couple runs it.
He was hoping the man would be in because he is more knowledgeable then the wife is.
She sold him 2 parts when we really only needed one; My husband had a gut feeling as to why the heater went off; It is actually a tiny screw was loose and water leaked on it making the wire short out. It is good though that he cleaned it out and looked inside; Said it could be replaced in 4 to 5 years; If we had called out a plumber he probably would of tried to sell us a new one place labor. That said,he cleaned so good and for so many hours yesterday that he had to stop before it was done. Up at 1 am while I was sleeping looking at the main wire; He Jerry rigged another wire to test out his theory, yes we need to just pick up another wire with the hot, cold and ground in it. The wire we have to test it out was thick enough to see the problem but not strong enough to heat up the tank.
OK, almost done! One more day of Turkish bathing!
He is sort of happy with himself for doing the job; He said a man needs to prove himself once in awhile to himself. IDK, I would of just called someone out and gotten scammed; A new water heater is at least 150,000 or more.
He spent all of 15,000 yesterday and could of just gotten the one part for 7,000 if he did not let that women talk him into it. No returns I guess. - @Marilyn Tassy

The burial situation is indeed grave.  A hole was dug by a backhoe which was organised by the cemetery people (as far as I know).  They were responsible for sorting out the entire thing as far as earthworks go BUT the local government are the complainers. I am surprised the local government sent anyone to look at it and to bring up the subject.  It does look a bit weird. It's like a massive mound about  5ft high.  It really needs a backhoe and a truck to take it away to dump maybe somewhere else on the site or wherever. 

Mrs F underestimates how heavy earth actually is.  It needs machines otherwise we'll all be injured from bad backs and our car will be destroyed carrying buckets of earth to dump.   The grave is far from the entrance.  My view is to write to the local government and tell them to work with the cemetery people to remove the earth.  Otherwise, we've got no way to solve it, we're too old, no method, blah-blah, woe is us....

I've seen water heaters in places like Praktiker and they don't cost so much - maybe 60K HUF'ish but of course there's the plumber's costs/transport etc.  It made me smile the Hungarian name is "bojler".  Easy to understand that.  The technical word is more complex - "forróvíztároló" (hot water tank).  If only all Hungarian words followed the easy rules!  Anyway, sounds like it's getting sorted.  In such hard water areas, it makes sense to  replace the heating element every few years.  The efficiency will go down.   

We don't heat water here by electricity, we're gas on that.  We've got an "on demand" boiler (or bojler) so if you turn on the taps, it instantly heats the water.  There's a buffer tank of 40L.  I am not sure which is the cheapest - gas or electricity.   It's a bit weird because the electricity price varies during the day but the gas price doesn't as far as I know.  But I bet the prices work out the same on average usage.  Maybe we should have a gas powered generator to make our own electricity.   

I'm almost exhausted by the Trump tirades and nonsense over Ukraine and everything else.  I watched the press conference yesterday and I think Macron had the upper hand - he's a clever guy even if he's unpopular.   I noticed he spoke in French.  Might have been to throw Trump off his stride. Anyway, the Ukrainians aren't stupid by any means so good for them.   I cannot see Trump getting "validation" over his idea he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. 

Unbelievably now I'm cruising down to retirement, I got asked by some American outfit if I want to do some short term work in Ukraine.  It said in the paperwork, the US was contributing financially for the work.  WTF? I thought that had all gone.  If there's a ceasefire or peace agreement, then sure but otherwise, not so sure.  I was in Kosovo multiple times post-conflict and I've been in a couple of other countries that have ceasefires.  One of the African ones was quite dangerous.  There was still shooting sometimes, usually between rival groups/gangs but it seemed far away.  But the planes were still flying in and out.  My colleagues spent quite a time in Afghanistan.   Said it was OK during those early years.

Not sure it is safe to go into Ukraine right now. I probably would think hard on it before going.

Can not push your luck.

I know what you mean about thinking of sending your boy to the UK when he is 18. If the world keeps getting crazier anything could happen almost anytime. Our son just turned 49! I can not even wrap my brain around that! He still looks young and does not have any middle age spread, he exercises everyday, vain like his mama!

He still has a full thick head of red hair too, lucky him.

He does not drink and only eats fresh foods and not much of anything. He is big on eating nori, I got some but can not fix it nice like they do in an Asian place. I just add some rice and soy sauce and maybe some grated veggies and chow it down saying to myself, this is healthy, then I may eat something sweet to forget the taste of the nori. My DIL never made me sushi even though I asked her to several times, I was willing to buy everything and have her show me how to do it but she dislikes sushi so much.

Well, the light went off on the heater so it has to be warm now; Wish me luck!

My poor husband is so tired from all his work yesterday and in the middle of the night; Guess we will look for a new wire tomorrow, his Jerry rigged line is heating it up for now, good enough just have to unplug it before bathing or this may be my last message!!Zap!

My step fathers SIL got zapped at work. He was a lineman and one of his co workers got itchy fingers and turn the power on too soon! His widow got a few million bucks.

My treasure is my husband, no need for millions of bucks if that is the cost to get it.

Not sure it is safe to go into Ukraine right now. I probably would think hard on it before going.Can not push your luck.I know what you mean about thinking of sending your boy to the UK when he is 18. If the world keeps getting crazier anything could happen almost anytime. Our son just turned 49! I can not even wrap my brain around that! He still looks young and does not have any middle age spread, he exercises everyday, vain like his mama!He still has a full thick head of red hair too, lucky him.He does not drink and only eats fresh foods and not much of anything. He is big on eating nori, I got some but can not fix it nice like they do in an Asian place. I just add some rice and soy sauce and maybe some grated veggies and chow it down saying to myself, this is healthy, then I may eat something sweet to forget the taste of the nori. My DIL never made me sushi even though I asked her to several times, I was willing to buy everything and have her show me how to do it but she dislikes sushi so much. Well, the light went off on the heater so it has to be warm now; Wish me luck!My poor husband is so tired from all his work yesterday and in the middle of the night; Guess we will look for a new wire tomorrow, his Jerry rigged line is heating it up for now, good enough just have to unplug it before bathing or this may be my last message!!Zap!My step fathers SIL got zapped at work. He was a lineman and one of his co workers got itchy fingers and turn the power on too soon! His widow got a few million bucks.My treasure is my husband, no need for millions of bucks if that is the cost to get it. - @Marilyn Tassy

Probably it's OK in Kyiv and the Western most parts.  Kyiv is protected for the most part by a missile shield.  But you're right, pushing my luck could be it.  It'll never happen anyway.  It'll take months to settle down and may never stop completely.  I'm getting too indifferent to voluntarily go somewhere just for the danger money.  I was paid danger money in Kosovo. It made quite a difference but I was at the height of my superpowers back then and I liked the dynamic nature of the work.  It was very much shooting from the hip.  Not the plod it usually is.

How come your DIL doesn't like Shushi?  I thought all Japanese people loved that stuff.  And Nori.  I don't like either much.  In fact I do not like it at all.   Shushi and Japan  is like the British with fish and chips!  Or Hungarians with Goulash!

Yes, be careful with the cabling.  If it's 3 phase, it could blow your fingers off if you're lucky and kill you stone dead if not.  It's not so much the voltage as the current.  Stop your heart and burn.  Arcing is really dangerous. What happens these days is a lock is placed on the circuit breaker so no-one can turn it back on without the person working on it (that person keeps the key).   A warning sign is added to show who has the key.  Then there's no doubt that it's being worked on.  Procedures procedures and more procedures.  It's the only way with those kinds of installations. There's no excuse not to use radios and phones (unless volatile atmosphere - kaboom!).  I guess it was another time back then. 

In installations here, there's no requirements for a RCD (Europe: Residual Current Device) or GFI (US: Ground Fault Interrupter).  They are compulsory in many countries.  I really recommend this being installed if anyone does any serious electrical work on the main switchboard. It can save lives.  Earthing/Grounding things here seems to be optional despite the rules.   Lot of bodging going on around these parts.

I spent my afternoon repairing my bird boxes. The unpopular box had an old nest in it.  Mainly the nests are made out of dog hair from our Goldie.  We've seen that before and it always amuses me.   Anyhoo, I've sealed them all up, repaired the wood work (not wonderfully as we've no decent spare wood).  Tomorrow I'll sand it a bit using an electric orbital sander (I'm lazy), then spray paint them - I think camouflage patterns - grey, black and green.  I hope the birdies like them even if they smell of new paint and glue.  It'll probably take month before they smell reasonable.  Main thing is they are wind and rainproof.   We'll see how fussy those birdies are!

We were going to hop over to an electric supply house today but since it is raining, maybe another day;

So far we have hot water, was nice to rinse off with it.

We forget how lucky we are to have indoor plumbing and hot water, let alone a roof over our heads.

My husband is super careful when he plays with the wires; He rewired a couple of his lathe machines with 3 phase power but one must respect how dangerous it can be; Just simple wiring from the wall to the heater;

It is more likely me who does something lame and blows things up!

My poor husband is extra tired from spending hours on a ladder and going up and down. he had turned into such a lazy bones so he probably shocked his system!

Funny ho"w one changes over the years, years ago I would be insane without knowing everything was perfect and the job was done fast. Now all is fine I know it will get done and the right way if I do not stress over it.

After going through cancer treatments, not much stresses me out any longer, OK maybe flying in economy next to a fat person...

My friend in Vegas now needs 2 shoulder replacements! She will be getting shots for pain every 3 months. I told her if those work do not bother with surgery. She had a knee replacement years ago and it hurts and was never right.

She is upset too, they sold there large home in AZ awhile ago. Maybe it has been 5 months now? Not long ago;

Bought that small condo in Vegas for cash.

Well now it seems she ran into her old neighbor who told her the buyer is selling her house. He is just turning around and selling it off; She is upset because she gave him allot of furniture, some that had belonged to her grandmother and mother. She has interesting taste, they had a leather 2 person western cowboy style one of a kind sort of rocking love seat.She did art work and gave them allot of nice paintings , she has good taste, not my sort of items but they look good the way she decorates her home.

Well she saw her things on sale on Facebook marketplace! OUCH!!

She is fuming mad.

Another odd tale, my friend in Sweden seems to really be in a fix now.

The police knocked on her door on Monday and took her out of bed at 8 am!

They locked her up in a detention center in Stockholm!!

I can not believe it; Her husbands family has hired more lawyers and they want to appeal her being locked up; Want her home while her case is ongoing.

I am upset about this. I mean she is just a housewife, not some drug runner or smuggler.

Man, just terrible timing with so many illegals up there, the gov; has done a 180 and is now anti immigrant.

She needs medial care too so I pray they take care of her.

I guess my little water heater drama is nothing serious at all!

I am personally against illegal immigration but they still need to have a heart since she is married now for over 4 years.

Her husband is not mentally steady and he might just snap.

I hope the little birds enjoy there new home, at least they are not homeless a little paint smell will not hurt them.

We were going to hop over to an electric supply house today but since it is raining, maybe another day;
So far we have hot water, was nice to rinse off with it.
We forget how lucky we are to have indoor plumbing and hot water, let alone a roof over our heads.
My husband is super careful when he plays with the wires; He rewired a couple of his lathe machines with 3 phase power but one must respect how dangerous it can be; Just simple wiring from the wall to the heater;
It is more likely me who does something lame and blows things up!
My poor husband is extra tired from spending hours on a ladder and going up and down. he had turned into such a lazy bones so he probably shocked his system!
Funny ho"w one changes over the years, years ago I would be insane without knowing everything was perfect and the job was done fast. Now all is fine I know it will get done and the right way if I do not stress over it.
After going through cancer treatments, not much stresses me out any longer, OK maybe flying in economy next to a fat person...
My friend in Vegas now needs 2 shoulder replacements! She will be getting shots for pain every 3 months. I told her if those work do not bother with surgery. She had a knee replacement years ago and it hurts and was never right.
She is upset too, they sold there large home in AZ awhile ago. Maybe it has been 5 months now? Not long ago;
Bought that small condo in Vegas for cash.
Well now it seems she ran into her old neighbor who told her the buyer is selling her house. He is just turning around and selling it off; She is upset because she gave him allot of furniture, some that had belonged to her grandmother and mother. She has interesting taste, they had a leather 2 person western cowboy style one of a kind sort of rocking love seat.She did art work and gave them allot of nice paintings , she has good taste, not my sort of items but they look good the way she decorates her home.
Well she saw her things on sale on Facebook marketplace! OUCH!!
She is fuming mad.

Another odd tale, my friend in Sweden seems to really be in a fix now.
The police knocked on her door on Monday and took her out of bed at 8 am!
They locked her up in a detention center in Stockholm!!
I can not believe it; Her husbands family has hired more lawyers and they want to appeal her being locked up; Want her home while her case is ongoing.
I am upset about this. I mean she is just a housewife, not some drug runner or smuggler.
Man, just terrible timing with so many illegals up there, the gov; has done a 180 and is now anti immigrant.
She needs medial care too so I pray they take care of her.
I guess my little water heater drama is nothing serious at all!
I am personally against illegal immigration but they still need to have a heart since she is married now for over 4 years.
Her husband is not mentally steady and he might just snap.

I hope the little birds enjoy there new home, at least they are not homeless a little paint smell will not hurt them. - @Marilyn Tassy

Ah, the old arm rest tussle in Economy class. I know it well.  I wonder if it's one of those laws that I get seated next to the biggest, tallest and widest person who only just fits in the seat.  And insists on using the under seat space for their too big hand luggage.  Past couple of times to the UK, I've had the entire row to myself so there's not been elbow wrestling. It's been only operating at about 70% capacity on that route. I wonder how long it will last.

Glad to hear the wiring is OK.   I'm hot on safe wiring.  It's not that difficult but if one is not used to it, then it's a problem. I know also it's harder to be up and down ladders as one ages.  I really do not like working  up high these days.

Bit cheeky the house buyer selling the stuff but what would anyone expect? It's his stuff now and he's entitled to sell it.

On Sweden, she could have hidden herself away as I saId.   Usually they come early, like 5am when they're sure to catch the subject at home.  If she'd been staying somewhere else,  then they wouldn't be able to drag her away.  If they cannot find her, they cannot deport her.  Sound all a bit ill thought out on her part.   Hiding in a cabin of an in-law in the mountains sounds like it would have been the best option. 

As I said, she's got an entitlement to family life under the European Human Rights laws,  so I doubt very much they will ever get her on a plane in the end as they'd be breaking up the family.   It's basic stuff.  It might simply be intimidation and trying to get her to leave. They also have to provide her with medical treatment while she's in detention.  I'm assuming she's done nothing illegal like drugs, radicalisation or other crime blah-blah.  If it's in appeal, they cannot deport her.

I tried to look up some info on deportation but it was all in the ICE site, the US rules.

I told her now, a bit too late that she never should of let them into her home; They need a warrant signed by a judge too.

Told her to not sign a thing or say anything , let them deal with her lawyers.

Yes, her MIL does have one of the lakeside weekend homes, should of headed there to hide out.

It sort of is upsetting me and that is just plain silly. Nothing I can do to help and for sure I am not starting a go fund me page. Hate to see people doing dumb stuff and paying for it later.

IDK how long they can hold her now that they have their hands on her? Maybe for years?

Her husband came to Stockholm the next day to give her clothing and other things. What, did they drag her out in her nightgown? Horrible to think about.

I told my Vegas friend that guy was a POS when she was dealing with selling her house to him. He did allot of rude things and I never would of left him a thing.

When we sold my MILs house in Erd the son of the buyer did or said something that rubbed my husband the wrong way; My MIL had a huge picture on the wall. My husband  said it  was always  there even as a tiny boy. Not my thing at all, a picture of baby Jesus with Joe and Mary , baby angles flying about too.

In a solid wood heavy old craved frame.Not his thing either, just  sentimental. The older lady who purchased the house loved it and asked to have it; My husband was going to leave it but after her sons rude behavior he said F it. It has been sitting in the way with baby Jesus facing the wall up in our loft for the past 15 years! Gosh every toss out day I am ready to lug it out but I always get the big, someone will want it speech. Any takers out there??

I guess my friend up in Sweden has to just wait it out now? I asked if her husband can visit etc. No answer yet. It must be a nightmare though. I imagine she is held in a room with just beds and perhaps a few desks and chairs? IDK, hope to never find out!

This is what happens though when you do not live in reality and think you can change the rules just because you want to.

One long haul my husband had some big mouth  guy complain when he put his seat back. Long haul fight without laying back for awhile? I told him to tell the guy to piss off, I told him to ask the guy if he planned on sitting up straight for 10 hours or did he just expect my husband to do so?  People are too much sometimes.My husband wanted no trouble so put his seat upright. Not sure if I was madder at the guy or my husband, after all it was not a short flight. Another time before  I started to book my seat ahead of time, we sat in the middle row, a Orthodox Jewish man came to take his seat next to my husband; We both smiled at the guy and said hello. He nodded and walked away, never sat down and did not see him anywhere; Maybe he told the flight attendant to move him up to business class because he could not sit next to 2 weirdos like us?

My friend could of avoided all this hassle if she had listened to reason.

Should of left the EU and gotten a visa to return.

I guess UK citizens are in the same boat now as other 3rd country nationals. I heard you could of been grandfathered in but now too late.

If they do actually fly her out, it could be years before she can return and perhaps she blew it so much that they might just say no, never again?

Poor thing though.

My friend could of avoided all this hassle if she had listened to reason.Should of left the EU and gotten a visa to return.I guess UK citizens are in the same boat now as other 3rd country nationals. I heard you could of been grandfathered in but now too late.If they do actually fly her out, it could be years before she can return and perhaps she blew it so much that they might just say no, never again?Poor thing though. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, she's not thinking very tactically. 

She would be banned from returning.  Presumably that would be EU wide.  But it wouldn't be forever.  Maybe 5 or 10 years.  But it'll take some convincing that she needs to be deported when hubby is at home and needs her help.  They aren't doing a Musk and Trump style administration there and rule of law means something still (maybe). Any warrant must say why they are deporting her.

British people post Brexit are indeed in the same position come the EU. Its a foolish thing but everyone here knows I am not a fan of Brexit.  However, anyone who was here before the actual exit date has a residence permit based on the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Article 50.  This is the one I have and many others have too. It's valid 5 years from 2022.

The way things are going, I can see EU freedom of movement being reinstituted for UK people within 5 years, especially if there is open conflict with Russia.  It's going to be the continent vs Putin and it'll be easier for us all to be in the same war mode.

I'm becoming less a fan of the UK.  The Trump brown nosing, the BS of pandering to the right, makes me want to throw up.  The move to the right all over Europe is really annoying the hell out of me.  I  think there's been a failure in education and history.  People don't seem to remember or know major events, the Holocaust, the threat of Russia and its dictatorial communism, the Berlin Wall, the rise of fascist language  etc etc.  But perhaps it's simply the rise of oligarchs and lining their own pockets.

I was glad to see Tesla stock is down and there's backlash against Musk's nonsense although analysis suggest Tesla cars are being usurped by Chinese cars like BYD.  Even I was looking at BYD and they look good.  I do, however, doubt their longevity.  But Tesla is right off the table now. I would not even consider it.

Maybe I'm the dinosaur but at least I'm a dino with a social conscience.

On the other hand, my permit ends in 2027 and what comes next, I dunno.  I can just renew it apparently but perhaps not under Article 50.   That could be over.  I should be eligible for a 10 year permit or indefinite permanent residence card of some description which would allow me more options. 

By the that time, I'll be 67 and in receipt of a government pension and less interesting to the authorities than someone of working age. So I'd be covered for health insurance under reciprocal agreements and also have a constant source of income.  Sounds OK and the best I can hope for under the circumstances.

I tried to look up some info on deportation but it was all in the ICE site, the US rules.I told her now, a bit too late that she never should of let them into her home; They need a warrant signed by a judge too.Told her to not sign a thing or say anything , let them deal with her lawyers.Yes, her MIL does have one of the lakeside weekend homes, should of headed there to hide out.It sort of is upsetting me and that is just plain silly. Nothing I can do to help and for sure I am not starting a go fund me page. Hate to see people doing dumb stuff and paying for it later.IDK how long they can hold her now that they have their hands on her? Maybe for years?Her husband came to Stockholm the next day to give her clothing and other things. What, did they drag her out in her nightgown? Horrible to think about. I told my Vegas friend that guy was a POS when she was dealing with selling her house to him. He did allot of rude things and I never would of left him a thing.When we sold my MILs house in Erd the son of the buyer did or said something that rubbed my husband the wrong way; My MIL had a huge picture on the wall. My husband said it was always there even as a tiny boy. Not my thing at all, a picture of baby Jesus with Joe and Mary , baby angles flying about too.In a solid wood heavy old craved frame.Not his thing either, just sentimental. The older lady who purchased the house loved it and asked to have it; My husband was going to leave it but after her sons rude behavior he said F it. It has been sitting in the way with baby Jesus facing the wall up in our loft for the past 15 years! Gosh every toss out day I am ready to lug it out but I always get the big, someone will want it speech. Any takers out there??I guess my friend up in Sweden has to just wait it out now? I asked if her husband can visit etc. No answer yet. It must be a nightmare though. I imagine she is held in a room with just beds and perhaps a few desks and chairs? IDK, hope to never find out!This is what happens though when you do not live in reality and think you can change the rules just because you want to.One long haul my husband had some big mouth guy complain when he put his seat back. Long haul fight without laying back for awhile? I told him to tell the guy to piss off, I told him to ask the guy if he planned on sitting up straight for 10 hours or did he just expect my husband to do so? People are too much sometimes.My husband wanted no trouble so put his seat upright. Not sure if I was madder at the guy or my husband, after all it was not a short flight. Another time before I started to book my seat ahead of time, we sat in the middle row, a Orthodox Jewish man came to take his seat next to my husband; We both smiled at the guy and said hello. He nodded and walked away, never sat down and did not see him anywhere; Maybe he told the flight attendant to move him up to business class because he could not sit next to 2 weirdos like us? - @Marilyn Tassy

On some short haul European flights, they don't have reclining seats now - they are fixed in position.   I find that OK as I don't like the seat jammed in my face. A flight of under 4h, no problem with no recline. The last long haul flight I did was Austrian via Vienna to Tokyo.  I slummed it in Premium Economy and I was in front of a bulkhead so no problem reclining.   I was OK with that and it wasn't excessively more expensive.  If it'd been business class, I would have been ripped off.  Claiming for flights in Premium Economy usually gets past on expenses because it doesn't say Business.  Airlines miss a trick there.  Usually in my work, if I went Business, I'd have to pay the difference between the highest cost Economy flexible ticket and Business.  And I'd have to provide evidence of the pricing.  Not impossible.

We've got some old oil painting from the MIL - still life of a book, candle and ink pot.  I think it's crap personally.  We've got a connection to the National Museum and asked for an opinion on it. They couldn't identify it.   It might be by some known HU artist.  Mrs F thinks it could be worth something. I reckon shove it in the auction.  It's too dark and miserable to be of interest to anyone.. It was professionally cleaned some years ago but that wouldn't improve it.  Maybe give your painting to the local church.  They might like it.  At least it'd be gone!

You need to Google Sweden, deportation etc.  There's a lot on there in English and quite a few lawyer sites.  She needs to be grateful she's not in custody due to ICE deportations to Panama.  That's sound horrific.  Panama has a bunch of Iranian Christian converts in deportation custody thanks to Trump's boss, Musk.  They are seriously under threat of death if deported to Iran as they have rejected Islam and run away from there.

I wondered how much kickback the USA is paying to Panama to take in deportees. I'd be asking at least $1M for each one.   UK flirted with this kind of thing. It cost millions per deportee and did nothing.  Would have been easier to let them stay instead of sending them to Rwanda. In the end, they only sent about 1 person.  I remember Australia getting refugees deported to Cambodia.  Cost millions per deportee.  Absolute horror show.

Musk could do good if he tried to use his funds for social justice instead of causing mayhem. Some reports I've seen talk of "bedlam" in federal offices and multiple EOs being halted by Fed judges.  Nudges the schadenfreude meter a bit.

I did find the site for Swedish immigration. My friend said under Swedish rules they can enter your home and remove you if they think you may be a flight risk.

She is sharing a room with a women from Iran, the women does not speak any English so that would make for a long day.

I feel badly for her husband and his elderly parents; They are the ones paying for lawyers and worrying about their sons mental state.

One mistake in life can upset so many people in the long run.

Honestly I woke up a few times last night worrying about it. Not my worry but I can understand a silly person doing silly things; I keep seeing my son in her situation although he is perfectly OK and perfectly legal in Japan. Still, moms love to worry about someone! Not fun to be an empath.

Trump is firing people left and right. I do not want people in the EU to start becoming more anti, American then they already are.

I have been watching some episodes of Mayday flights on U tube.

Last night they happened to show an episode that upset me some. It made me think on my deceased brother.

The crash happened at LAX where he used to work at the time for US Air, before thy merged with American Airlines.

I remember how mad and upset he was. He was so mad at some of his sick co workers; He did not report them because it is so political in these jobs.

One guy had broken the rules and taken photos post crash; Think it was one of the deceased pilots who had their head decapitated. The guy was showing the photos like it had been a family vacation and he wanted everyone to see them.My bro disliked most of his co workers;

I mentioned in the past how just by chance a group of his co workers came to my blackjack table in Las Vegas.

Very strange; About 4 guys and their wives on holidays from SC.

I could tell right off that they were not my sort of people but as a games dealer,nothing is personal. They gave off the beer drinking hillbilly vibes.

Well, I had to be polite as that was my job; Getting paid to be nice!

Well they told me they all were airline mechanics from SC. I told them , wow my brothr and SIL also work at that job in SC.

Come to find out they knew my bro and SIL and they were their dire enemies!

The one big mouth guy asked me if it was true that my brother was half Russian and part native American. Well not that simple but I said yes; The guy just looked at me hard and shook his head; He could not believe I was Mikes sister. I do not look a thing like my brother except for our big wide smiles. In fact he said I do not believe you are his sister, how rude! I kept smiling but knew He was going down my next shuffle!!

I was getting mad,does not take a dummy to know he was being a racist jerk. I reshuffled the cards when the time came and for sure they lost their money! Vengence is mine says the Lord but sometimes it is also in the hands of a card dealer!

Recently my SIL shared what that was all about. She had allot of time in the company and was up for a management slot; The guy wanted that for himself and was making trouble at work for my brother so it would reflect badly on his wife. Long story but the guy was flat out told to never talk to or about my brother at work or he would be fired on the spot! Good on American Airlines!

My SIL became their boss too!!!

So much politics in so many jobs.

I did find the site for Swedish immigration. My friend said under Swedish rules they can enter your home and remove you if they think you may be a flight risk.She is sharing a room with a women from Iran, the women does not speak any English so that would make for a long day.I feel badly for her husband and his elderly parents; They are the ones paying for lawyers and worrying about their sons mental state.One mistake in life can upset so many people in the long run.Honestly I woke up a few times last night worrying about it. Not my worry but I can understand a silly person doing silly things; I keep seeing my son in her situation although he is perfectly OK and perfectly legal in Japan. Still, moms love to worry about someone! Not fun to be an empath.Trump is firing people left and right. I do not want people in the EU to start becoming more anti, American then they already are. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, I am sure the Swedes have those powers.  Hence being away somewhere else has to be the way to go.  Just visiting friends in the countryside, not hiding.   It might not work for a long time but it might be enough to get the lawyers on the job.    I don't think you need worry about what is going on in Sweden.  It's not your problem and your friend seems to be a trouble magnet. 

I'm more worried what is going on in the USA as my PM (well, the UK's, not mine) is meeting today with Trump.   What he's going to give away to Donny is worrying.  Donny is saying Ukraine is Europe's problem.  Well OK, then Taiwan and Asia-Pacific is your problem, don't expect us to help you Mr Orange Blob Spacehopper. 

Not trying to be rude, but Americans have always had a bit of reputation of being somewhat over the top and more blatantly ignorant of culture and cultural differences in Europe.  Obviously, not including you and your hubby in that as you are well travelled and know your origins and history.

There are numerous YT videos of people from the boondocks getting world affairs and geography wrong. It taints the entire country.  I have to say, in the few times I've been there, I've found people OK but not anyone in an official position.  They are just as bad as those here or in my own country.  I did find people in Canada to be more aligned to my country's thinking but I wasn't really there long enough to say for sure.  I find people in Europe to be more worldly.  I guess it goes back to all politics is local.  Certainly now Trump is back, I've no desire to go to the USA at all.  In fact, I'd positively avoid it.  I was already avoiding any flights that transit the USA.   That's been the way for some years.   If going out to the Caribbean, we'd go via Toronto, not the USA.   We have been planning to go to Canada to see my daughter and BF.  Maybe we'll go to Vancouver BC as they want to move there from Ontario.  We wouldn't visit the USA despite the proximity.

I couldn't imagine tolerating those kind of people from SC.  Sounds like they uncouth but I guess their money spends as well as anyone else's.  I guess I'm getting too old to grit my teeth for cash.

Looks like the backlash against Musk is gaining pace - we'll see if he cares. 0-1939 in 3 seconds apparently.  There are reports of Teslas being vandalised.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/au … 2025-02-27

It's only taken them 5 months, but what is good the FPÖ won't be in the government.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/au … 2025-02-27
It's only taken them 5 months, but what is good the FPÖ won't be in the government. - @SimCityAT

I saw that but didn't read the details.   All we need to know is that FPÖ is not in there.

We'll need to see sidelining of the AfD further North.   

I am hoping Merz is going to a more decisive leader than Scholz.  Never seen a guy sit on the fence for so long.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/au … 2025-02-27
It's only taken them 5 months, but what is good the FPÖ won't be in the government.  - @SimCityAT
I saw that but didn't read the details. All we need to know is that FPÖ is not in there.
We'll need to see sidelining of the AfD further North.

I am hoping Merz is going to a more decisive leader than Scholz. Never seen a guy sit on the fence for so long. - @fluffy2560

FPÖ wanted to scrap our klimatebonus, https://www.klimabonus.gv.at/en/

Now hopefully it will continue. They also wanted to heavily tax the pensioners. Heavily tax solar panels. So I might be able to afford installing some now.

They were climate change deniers..... Also supporters of Russia.

I laugh at climate change rubbish.

The whole concept is unreal.

Now your blood pressure is higher than it was a moment ago, I'll explain.

I fully agree with the idea that fossil fuel is damaging our environment and is going to do a lot of harm.

I strongly disagree with the way it is being pushed.

In my most humble of opinions, climate activists and governments are a set of idiots.

People don't see climate change, but they do see their electricity bill.

Instead of telling everyone how the world will be uninhabitable long after they are dead, tell them how to save money now.

Cheap and easy ways to reduce electricity use are ignored in favour of more expensive and far harder options.

A big solar installation to supply a family's needs is going to cost big, so look at alternatives.

Almost all homes could have cheap lighting by adding one small panel and tiny wind turbine connected to a lead acid car battery.

Take the lighting away from the mains, change bulbs to 12 volt LED units, and enjoy free lighting forever with a minimal setup and maintenance costs.

The electricity reduction by house would be small, but there are something like 30 million houses in the UK alone.

Fred Blogs doesn't give a flying rat's posterior about sea level rise, but he will love a government run scheme that gives him free lighting, even if he spends his last few quid on a pint instead of paying the leccy bill.

In case that sounds like balderdash, I made a test system with just solar and a small car battery for lighting in one room. The place could have any level of light I fancied 24 hours a day, at no running costs the me or the environment.

.

Personal transport rethinking is another cheap and easy way to save the environment, sorry, save a sack of cash.

EVs are expensive, or are they?

I run two electric motorbikes. My wife's has to be taxed and so on, but mine does not as it's classed as a motor assisted pushbike (but looks like a scooter).

Both were cheap (less than 500 quid each) as they use lead acid rather than lithium batteries.

They can keep up with town traffic, and work well for short commutes. Running costs are close to zero.

"Ah, but I need a car, and they are expensive", comes the cry.

I saw a lead acid powered four door last week. It's tiny and has a lot of limitations, but would be great for short runs to work, shopping, or school runs.

It retails at less than 2,000 quid.

Strange to have mentioned Gene Hackmans old film days ago.

Now we all know he has passed on at 95.

Santa Fe, nice town but a bit pricey.

Loads of boutiques and art galleries in the Old Town area.

Very cute place.

They have a great flee market there too.

I wish I was the sort to grit my teeth at work, I might of been a floor manager. I was asked once if I was interested in that but not me, I hate responsibility and having to perform to my highest level.

I like to cruise at work, not over think.

Classic underachiever!

I would talk back to rude players if and when the mood hit me. Not directly but with a smile on my face. Had some Mexican guys once who I knew were calling me names in Spanish;

I smiled and said I think I know that word but perhaps I should call my boss over and double check? All of a sudden they started tipping and shut up. Probably illegals who met their match with a crazy American women!

I used to say odd things to players when they cried at me, I would say something like the sign outside says Casino not Church.

IDK, whatever silly thing popped into my mind at the time. People who can sit there all day long throwing money out do not get much respect from me.

The trick to working with the public is to be cool as a cucumber, not think it is personal and to remember it is like an acting job, never let your guard down but let things slide too.

Takes a certain personality to do that job, they can train a monkey to deal cards but can not train anyone to be , cool as a cucumber under stress. I have to say I was not the best dealer in the world but I was not too bad either. My bosses always told me I dealt a clean game and it was easy for them to watch my table.

I used to sometimes pray I would get fired but it never happened.

I laugh at climate change rubbish.
The whole concept is unreal.
Now your blood pressure is higher than it was a moment ago, I'll explain.
I fully agree with the idea that fossil fuel is damaging our environment and is going to do a lot of harm.
I strongly disagree with the way it is being pushed.

In my most humble of opinions, climate activists and governments are a set of idiots.
People don't see climate change, but they do see their electricity bill.
Instead of telling everyone how the world will be uninhabitable long after they are dead, tell them how to save money now.
Cheap and easy ways to reduce electricity use are ignored in favour of more expensive and far harder options.
A big solar installation to supply a family's needs is going to cost big, so look at alternatives.
Almost all homes could have cheap lighting by adding one small panel and tiny wind turbine connected to a lead acid car battery.
Take the lighting away from the mains, change bulbs to 12 volt LED units, and enjoy free lighting forever with a minimal setup and maintenance costs.
The electricity reduction by house would be small, but there are something like 30 million houses in the UK alone.
Fred Blogs doesn't give a flying rat's posterior about sea level rise, but he will love a government run scheme that gives him free lighting, even if he spends his last few quid on a pint instead of paying the leccy bill.

In case that sounds like balderdash, I made a test system with just solar and a small car battery for lighting in one room. The place could have any level of light I fancied 24 hours a day, at no running costs the me or the environment.
.
Personal transport rethinking is another cheap and easy way to save the environment, sorry, save a sack of cash.
EVs are expensive, or are they?
I run two electric motorbikes. My wife's has to be taxed and so on, but mine does not as it's classed as a motor assisted pushbike (but looks like a scooter).
Both were cheap (less than 500 quid each) as they use lead acid rather than lithium batteries.
They can keep up with town traffic, and work well for short commutes. Running costs are close to zero.
"Ah, but I need a car, and they are expensive", comes the cry.
I saw a lead acid powered four door last week. It's tiny and has a lot of limitations, but would be great for short runs to work, shopping, or school runs.
It retails at less than 2,000 quid. - @Fred

One has to look at the entire supply chain used to create the end product, not just the retail price and operational costs.  The fuel cost might be close to zero but lead acid batteries don't have that much life span and do not last well under heavy discharge loads.  Minimum distance for a "town" car for short runs, probably 100km and charging time of under say, 4 h.  Infrastructure is quite a problem in many countries.  Solar is good but one needs a lot of it.

One has to look at the entire supply chain used to create the end product, not just the retail price and operational costs. The fuel cost might be close to zero but lead acid batteries don't have that much life span and do not last well under heavy discharge loads. Minimum distance for a "town" car for short runs, probably 100km and charging time of under say, 4 h. Infrastructure is quite a problem in many countries. Solar is good but one needs a lot of it. - @fluffy2560

The supply chain is commonly China to the world, but India is having a moment or two as well.

The two problems with solar are lack of panels meaning you have to hybrid with mains power, and the cost of batteries if you want to keep it off grid.

If you start with LED lighting and other low power uses such as charging phones, tablets, and USB charged laptops, the above go away. However, the overall saving in unburnt fossil fuels would be massive. The panels would last for years, but the battery would likely need replacing every few years. However, small car batteries are cheap to buy and are recyclable.

As for a town car for school runs and so on, most cars seem to average less than 20 miles per day.

The average car in the UK is 9 years old. City cars, in 2022, averaged at 13.600 quid.

Let's assume the cars pack lasted 3 years - the average life of a lead acid in the UK seems to be between 3 and 6 years.

Even 3 replacement battery packs on a very cheap runabout EV would still leave consumers a lot better off, especially when you consider fuel costs over 9 years.

That's before you look at no servicing, easy parking, and no congestion charges.

The supply chain is commonly China to the world, but India is having a moment or two as well.
The two problems with solar are lack of panels meaning you have to hybrid with mains power, and the cost of batteries if you want to keep it off grid.
If you start with LED lighting and other low power uses such as charging phones, tablets, and USB charged laptops, the above go away. However, the overall saving in unburnt fossil fuels would be massive. The panels would last for years, but the battery would likely need replacing every few years. However, small car batteries are cheap to buy and are recyclable.
As for a town car for school runs and so on, most cars seem to average less than 20 miles per day.
The average car in the UK is 9 years old. City cars, in 2022, averaged at 13.600 quid.
Let's assume the cars pack lasted 3 years - the average life of a lead acid in the UK seems to be between 3 and 6 years.
Even 3 replacement battery packs on a very cheap runabout EV would still leave consumers a lot better off, especially when you consider fuel costs over 9 years.

That's before you look at no servicing, easy parking, and no congestion charges. - @Fred

I wouldn't say it was rubbish. The climate is changing.  We see it here all the time.

A lot of the incentives are obviously subsidies so those vary across countries.  We've got some of the lowest cost per kW/h here in Hungary.  We're way down.  like 1/3rd of the UK unit costs.  Our bills - I think - are high. But compared to the UK, it's way way cheaper.   Some of it is political.

Battery packs don't cost that much but the battery life span is quite low.  The lead-acid model isn't much good for deep cycling.  I've had those in my car and the cost 2-3x the amount and they don't really work that well.  They look fancy but aren't that good at all. Fails the same as the rest of them.   

For a house battery pack or even the panels, It'd have to have a life span of maybe 20+ years to give a decent return.  Same with the panels.  Absolute minimum 10 years. 

My neighbour has 18 panels and doesn't use any grid power during the day - he's a nett supplier.   There's no battery on his system.  If he had one, he'd have independence from the grid.  His installation costs were quite low as his house roof faces South and he has a large area.

Solar or wind for self-generation is a great way to charge your vehicle AND also to use the vehicle battery at night to run your house too.   We need that system. The kinds of power we're using is high.  The "hogs" are the washing machine, tumble dryer, central heating pump and all the IT gear.  LED lighting costs must be a low percentage of the total.  During the summer our energy costs plummet but the system is set up to average payments over the year with a nett adjustment at year end.   I did think about a CHP (Combined Heat and Power) installation when we built this house.  But it was too expensive and the power generation was only like 1kW.  I reckon we need at least 4 to 6kW - my guesstimate.

Lighting is really important and LED lighting is a great innovation.  Just giving a light in many countries - charged from a panel with a battery for night - extends the productive day for both workers and school kids.  Aid programmes (like the kinds cut by Musk/Trump) supplied that kind of assistance.     

I've long been investigating on the idea of converting a older vehicle like a VW Beetle to battery power.  Range of say, 150km and charging time of 4-6h.    The costs are high.  Probably in the region of US $ 20K plus taxes and plus the vehicle itself.  It's hard to see that being anything but a hobby.

FPÖ wanted to scrap our klimatebonus, https://www.klimabonus.gv.at/en/Now hopefully it will continue. They also wanted to heavily tax the pensioners. Heavily tax solar panels. So I might be able to afford installing some now.They were climate change deniers..... Also supporters of Russia. - @SimCityAT

It's been a horror show today and it puts all local politics right down the list of important matters. Here, Orban is trying to set up a kind of pensioners' discount scheme for food.  The details are not truly known but apparently pensioners would not have to pay VAT on food.  I can see this is going to be rife for fraud.  All pensioners are going to be buying food for their wider family.  People are saying it'll cost a fortune to manage but perhaps that's the point - a service provider gets a fat contract to manage it.  Probably first shot early for the election in a couple of years.

More importantly, I think events of today in Washington DC has shown the differences between Trump and the rest of civilisation. I've never seen anything like it.  It's outrageous what Trump and Vance did.  Total Russian assets.

The blatant strong arming cum mugging of Zelenskyy by Trump and Co has shown what we already suspected about MAGA people.   I hope we're going to see a poll in the coming days to see how the US people viewed it.

I reckon Zelenskyy came out of that with his integrity intact and deserves to leave the USA with his head held high.

Now we'll see if Europe can truly step up to support Ukraine without the USA.   It'll put a cloud over Trump's state visit to the UK for sure.  He'll be very unwelcome.

Strange to have mentioned Gene Hackmans old film days ago.Now we all know he has passed on at 95.Santa Fe, nice town but a bit pricey.Loads of boutiques and art galleries in the Old Town area.Very cute place.They have a great flee market there too.I wish I was the sort to grit my teeth at work, I might of been a floor manager. I was asked once if I was interested in that but not me, I hate responsibility and having to perform to my highest level.I like to cruise at work, not over think.Classic underachiever! I would talk back to rude players if and when the mood hit me. Not directly but with a smile on my face. Had some Mexican guys once who I knew were calling me names in Spanish;I smiled and said I think I know that word but perhaps I should call my boss over and double check? All of a sudden they started tipping and shut up. Probably illegals who met their match with a crazy American women!I used to say odd things to players when they cried at me, I would say something like the sign outside says Casino not Church.IDK, whatever silly thing popped into my mind at the time. People who can sit there all day long throwing money out do not get much respect from me.The trick to working with the public is to be cool as a cucumber, not think it is personal and to remember it is like an acting job, never let your guard down but let things slide too.Takes a certain personality to do that job, they can train a monkey to deal cards but can not train anyone to be , cool as a cucumber under stress. I have to say I was not the best dealer in the world but I was not too bad either. My bosses always told me I dealt a clean game and it was easy for them to watch my table.I used to sometimes pray I would get fired but it never happened. - @Marilyn Tassy

It's a weird coincidence we discussed Gene Hackman and then he passed. Very odd.

I've never seen the attraction in gambling myself.  If I lost $1 in a slot machine I'd feel hard done by.  I can however see why people do the stockmarket.   That's not really gambling as there's research and knowledge involved.  I suppose there's some randomness in it like horse racing.  I don't know anything about horses like that.

After tonight's US/Ukraine events, I'm not sure who has enough cool to be a cucumber.  It's rather upset me that there's such a breakdown. I had hopes. It's a terrible threat to us here in Hungary.  It'll take years to repair the damage that's been caused.

It's done my head in.   I think I need to work on my paella for tomorrow to take my mind away from it.

I wouldn't say it was rubbish. The climate is changing. We see it here all the time.

A lot of the incentives are obviously subsidies so those vary across countries. Some of it is political.

Battery packs don't cost that much but the battery life span is quite low.

For a house battery pack or even the panels, It'd have to have a life span of maybe 20+ years to give a decent return. Same with the panels. Absolute minimum 10 years.

My neighbour has 18 panels and doesn't use any grid power during the day - he's a nett supplier. There's no battery on his system. If he had one, he'd have independence from the grid. His installation costs were quite low as his house roof faces South and he has a large area.

Lighting is really important and LED lighting is a great innovation. Just giving a light in many countries - charged from a panel with a battery for night - extends the productive day for both workers and school kids. - @fluffy2560

The climate issue is obvious, even to those with a political (cash) reason to tell us it isn't. I believe I said policy was rubbish, not the fact of climate change.

For small, lighting and light use, systems, no subsidy would be required as they are amazingly cheap. I can buy one here for less than a lot of people in the UK spend on a Friday night at the boozer.

Politicians make cheap panels expensive. Trump is the obvious case, but the UK has a long history of doing similar things, albeit more quietly.

I just checked a price on a motorcycle. 1,500 QUID in Jakarta, but 3,500 in London.

Same spec, same everything, but not the same government taxes.

getting people to switch for cars to small motorcycles would reduce fuel usage massively. If prices dropped to fair levels, more would do it. The extra 2 grand for number 11 could be removed tomorrow if the UK government was serious about the environment.

I will have to look at how much cheap solar panels are in the UK, but I would be willing to bet they are a massive ripoff.

What's climate when there's tax money to be had. So much for subsidies - the government is just screwing you slightly less.

That ruins your return on investment numbers in a big way.

A house battery pack can be a lead acid battery. You simply don't need anything else if you run LED. However, the UK is probably being shagged on them as well.

As a note, 12 volt lighting means you don't need an inverter, and the lights are far more efficient than 220 volt LED lights anyway.

You lauder self contained solar lighting, but poo poo the same thing on a scale that would run a house's lighting. There seems to be a hint of incongruity in your post.

I don't believe I've ever seen anything quite like this

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cdel2npwe50o

I don't believe I've ever seen anything quite like this
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cdel2npwe50o - @Fred

Yes, it was something else.   

Commentators have said Trump might pull all aid currently being supplied to Ukraine and leave them isolated.   On the other hand, almost everyone else supports Ukraine making the USA look even more isolated. 

The worse thing is that Putin and Trump are now aligned and the Kremlin is popping champagne corks.   It's just madness for us here next door to a warzone. 

It was absolutely wrong of Trump and Shady Vance to ambush Zelenskyy in that way.   

But Zelenskyy made a mistake even going there and worse, engaging in discussions in front of the cameras.   He should have sent his foreign minister and ambassador to deal with them. 

Meanwhile, Trump's minions excelled themselves overnight by asking Canada to impose equal tariffs on China.  Another strong-arm and bullying technique by the orange felon. Trudeau is no dummy - it'll be interesting to see how that one pans out.

The worse thing is that Putin and Trump are now aligned and the Kremlin is popping champagne corks. It's just madness for us here next door to a warzone.
....
But Zelenskyy made a mistake even going there and worse, engaging in discussions in front of the cameras. He should have sent his foreign minister and ambassador to deal with them.
. - @fluffy2560

Madness, yes.

Fault - I have thoughts, but you will disagree.

Apart from the bit of a rant, this guy's command of history is pretty good.

I totally disagree with Putin invading, but I believe it was forced for the defence of Russia.

https://youtu.be/J9x5E0ETyv8?feature=shared

Not one inch eastward, but they did. The final straw was when the US removed the internationally recognised democracy in Ukraine in favour of their people.

I don't have to agree with Putin to understand him.

Faced with an eastward moving force (with a long history 1of starting wars) pointing weapons at his country, it is a president's first duty to defend against the threat.

The climate issue is obvious, even to those with a political (cash) reason to tell us it isn't. I believe I said policy was rubbish, not the fact of climate change.For small, lighting and light use, systems, no subsidy would be required as they are amazingly cheap. I can buy one here for less than a lot of people in the UK spend on a Friday night at the boozer.Politicians make cheap panels expensive. Trump is the obvious case, but the UK has a long history of doing similar things, albeit more quietly.I just checked a price on a motorcycle. 1,500 QUID in Jakarta, but 3,500 in London.Same spec, same everything, but not the same government taxes.getting people to switch for cars to small motorcycles would reduce fuel usage massively. If prices dropped to fair levels, more would do it. The extra 2 grand for number 11 could be removed tomorrow if the UK government was serious about the environment.I will have to look at how much cheap solar panels are in the UK, but I would be willing to bet they are a massive ripoff.What's climate when there's tax money to be had. So much for subsidies - the government is just screwing you slightly less.That ruins your return on investment numbers in a big way.A house battery pack can be a lead acid battery. You simply don't need anything else if you run LED. However, the UK is probably being shagged on them as well.As a note, 12 volt lighting means you don't need an inverter, and the lights are far more efficient than 220 volt LED lights anyway.You lauder self contained solar lighting, but poo poo the same thing on a scale that would run a house's lighting. There seems to be a hint of incongruity in your post. - @Fred

Not really anything incongruous.  It's about poverty in the 3rd world.   On a small scale, it can work but the equipment has to be cheap, possibly financed by the typical small loans system or simply given away like mosquito nets.  There used to be a discussion about $1 a day being poverty levels.  It's probably $2 a day now. So even if low cost LED lighting system was say, $30 at scale,  it's still pricey for those living hand to mouth.   Lighting is good.  Being able to run a small machine of some sort would be useful too - thinking mainly agricultural machines. 

Meanwhile, over here, we're supposedly in the 1st world (probably I'd call it 1.5 world) and our energy consumption is huge relatively speaking.  Obviously the higher the GDP per capita and disposable income the more intense energy use. 

Meanwhile, there have been advances on panels.  For the same size panels, the output has doubled in the past 5 to 7 years and the price has more or less stayed the same (not really, as there's inflation). That's since I was looking at it anyway.  So here,  instead of like 12 panels, I'd only need 6 and the area for 6.  It's Moore's law - half the price and twice the performance every year.  It used to be 250W a panel, now it's like 400W.  All under ideal conditions.

Here, we have a crap FIT (Feed In Tariff).  This is the amount paid for supplying the grid.  It only gets interesting for the authorities if an installation can supply over 50 kW.  Nowadays, optimistically that's probably an installation of 100 panels. Probably only workable in industrial level contexts. Obviously in their minds,  at that level, it makes a difference and meets the environmental laws at EU level.   Essentially it's intended to stop people installing their own gear.   

The reason for that is a murky deal with the Russians for modernising and expansion of the only aging nuclear power plant here in Hungary.  It supplies about 70% of the entire country's power.   All those Russian arrangements are state secrets.  No-one knows what is going on there and there's no public oversight.   In essence, the government wants to force the population to buy their power from the nuclear plant to payback the soft loan from Moscow.  They've already started that the process by consolidating the power companies - and obviously lining their own pockets in the process. 

My own interest in it is part professional but also I do not want to be dependent on the government and therefore real and wannabe dictators like Putin and Orban.

As a note.

This isn't a lot different from the Cuban missile crisis. That was painted as Moscow being all evil, but history shows us the CCCP put missiles into Cuba to balance out the threat to Russia from missiles the US placed in Turkey the year before.

Facts tend to be the enemy of propaganda.

Not learning from history is really very silly, but people still believe the balderdash politicians feed them.

There used to be a discussion about $1 a day being poverty levels. It's probably $2 a day now. - @fluffy2560

That. depends on where you live.

Cost of living against income decides who is in poverty, once you have. worked out what poverty is.

Poverty in the UK might mean no car and a small TV.

In a lot of places it's life threatening.

Madness, yes.Fault - I have thoughts, but you will disagree.Apart from the bit of a rant, this guy's command of history is pretty good.I totally disagree with Putin invading, but I believe it was forced for the defence of Russia.https://youtu.be/J9x5E0ETyv8?feature=sharedNot one inch eastward, but they did. The final straw was when the US removed the internationally recognised democracy in Ukraine in favour of their people.I don't have to agree with Putin to understand him.Faced with an eastward moving force (with a long history 1of starting wars) pointing weapons at his country, it is a president's first duty to defend against the threat. - @Fred

Well obviously I don't agree with your premise on who started it or that it was defence of Russia.  Fact is, Putin invaded Crimea in 2014 and then Ukraine in 2022.  Russia has to be repelled to maintain Ukraine's sovereignty.  Otherwise, we might as well have the USSR back on our doorstep.    So we do agree it shouldn't have happened and we have to deal with how it is now.   

An ideal final result is for Russia to be broken up.   If the Allies can maintain that course of breaking their economy, then it may succeed.  Putin may end up getting removed.   The cracks are there - there's a long standing breakdown in the CSTO over Armenia (and Ukraine policy).  That's a country I've been to quite a few times - even recently. It's full of Russian people avoiding the draft.  Georgia is the same.

I do agree the USA has a long history of failed wars and interference.  But perhaps this is the time and opportunity to be independent of the USA and for Europe to assert itself. 

Apparently Trump thinks the world should be defined as regions in which fortress type nations assert their authority within their region and do not interfere with other regions.  Hence the determination to control Canada and Mexico.    I am not sure what that is all about or what that is called. 

Weirdly, people still refer to Trump as leader of the free world.  I cannot see it myself.  That title was lost the moment he took office for Trump 2.0.

There used to be a discussion about $1 a day being poverty levels. It's probably $2 a day now. - @fluffy2560 That. depends on where you live. Cost of living against income decides who is in poverty, once you have. worked out what poverty is.Poverty in the UK might mean no car and a small TV.In a lot of places it's life threatening. - @Fred

Sure, I've worked in those places where people are on a nominal $1/day.  The amount is just to put it into understandable terms for most people. It could be 1 Unit of Currency.  Everything needs to be adjusted for PPP (Purchasing Power Parity).  There's another set of measures which is more comprehensive and interesting - the Human Development Index - people centric.

One subset of that was basic needs like access to clean water. I'd put that higher than the lighting. 

As a note. This isn't a lot different from the Cuban missile crisis. That was painted as Moscow being all evil, but history shows us the CCCP put missiles into Cuba to balance out the threat to Russia from missiles the US placed in Turkey the year before.Facts tend to be the enemy of propaganda. - @Fred

Yes, I know about that.  They are still our (Western) enemies it seems.   I've always likened Russia to the Klingon empire.  At the top anyway.   In any case, history is written by the victors.

I've been to Russia and many of the "-stans" (multiple times) and they just haven't got out of that kind of feudal thinking.  Bit of that goes on here.  Most people here think of themselves as powerless. And they will be until they decide to start a revolution.  Same goes over there in Russia.

Ultimately, Russia is a threat to the world and ideally should break itself up.  Probably China the same but I believe them to be far more intelligent in their invasion techniques.

Ultimately, Russia is a threat to the world and ideally should break itself up. Probably China the same but I believe them to be far more intelligent in their invasion techniques. - @fluffy2560

Why?

The US has invaded a lot of countries and done worse that it claims Russia has done.

Surely the US is the greatest danger.

Articulate your reasoning

@Fred

Go AWAY, You really do live a sad life.

Ultimately, Russia is a threat to the world and ideally should break itself up. Probably China the same but I believe them to be far more intelligent in their invasion techniques.  - @fluffy2560 Why?The US has invaded a lot of countries and done worse that it claims Russia has done.Surely the US is the greatest danger.Articulate your reasoning - @Fred

Ah homework again. And Whataboutery.   It's the weekend, I'll play for a bit but I have to do some gardening so I won't be sitting here discussing it all day.

USA has got involved in a lot of conflicts for whatever reason it thought was good at the time.  But they don't always command support.  i.e. Viet Nam.  Allies soon left that fight. 

And Russia is run by a warmonger.   It's a lot of different groups and ethnicities and many of them don't like paying their tithes to Moscow.  And they also recently invaded - Afghanistan, Georgia, Ukraine.  And further back, Hungary and Czech Republic.  And they are extending their influence into Syria and Africa.   If Russia breaks up, they'll be busy fighting each other and not causing trouble elsewhere.

They are both guilty and so what?  It's just business as normal.

BTW,  US is showing its spots.  News reports today are that US is withdrawing intelligence gathering for Russia and therefore Ukraine will lose cover there. Even Starlink might go. President Musk shows his true colours.   It's just going to sow even more division with Europe.   Eventually Trump can kiss his UK golf courses goodbye.  And I expect a lot of US businesses in Europe are going to find it really hard going. 

They are both guilty and so what? - @fluffy2560

Then you have to condemn the US as well as Russia.

Just the US is guilty of a lot more.

Of course you can ignore history and undisputed fact in order to push hate, but that's what Trump supporters do.

That lot are dumb as bricks.

BTW, US is showing its spots. News reports today are that US is withdrawing intelligence gathering for Russia and therefore Ukraine will lose cover there. - @fluffy2560

Link?

Yes, I watched the Truman show last night with Zelensky and Trump;

It turned ugly really fast but the entire time in my mind I was thinking Z looked like a school boy wiggling around in a chair that was too large for him. He was making faces and rolling his eyes, sort of a spoiled brat.

He looked like it was well past his bed time.

Then Vance and Trump went off on him.

I thought it made for some fun tv.

No matter what, they all are actors.

As far as Orban saying that perhaps he will end VAT tax on food for retired people, it will have zero to do with most of us ex pats.

Once we shopped at Tesco on a Tuesday and the clerk had given a senior discount to the lady before us and then just did the same for us without us even knowing what was going on.

You have to show your Hungarian senior card, not sure what that looks like, to get senior discounts sponsored  by the gov.

They have senior trips around Hungary and special boat tours down the Danube with food and music just for retired HU seniors but you need the discount card;

You must of worked a min; of 15 years in Hungary and be over 65 to get the card;

We do not qualify for it. It was a one off at Tesco to get 10% off that one Tuesday.

It was/is a beautiful day outside.

We just got in from the outdoor farmer market.Super busy, even bought a melon. Must of come from Greece or Italy?

Super busy but was so nice I even took my jacket off because it was getting hot under the sun.

I was able to find everything on my list today but did notice prices on items I did not need today;

500 forints for beets, I bought them yesterday at Lidl for only 299. Nice firm ones too;

Peppers were all over the place and reasonable.

Apples were cheaper then the stores but most items still cost more then the major markets do.

I was so jazzed, found bags of Harpo liquorice candy! 3 bags for 500!

Bought that in the past at the pricey Flying Tiger shop and really was not great tasting.

Have to check out my purchase today later on.

My friend in detention has till March 18th. They bought her a ticket to FL.

IDK, her lawyers had better get it in gear fast!

I know it is not my problem but dang I am worried for her.

Ok, everyone enjoy their day,going to watch episode 2 of the Trump/Truman show tonight!