The General Chat Thread (2016-2022)

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caseydog said:
I broke my left pinky toe about 20 years ago. That was painful. It hurt for a good six months. People don't realize how much our toes do when we walk.

BTW, I drove to the ER in a car with a manual gearbox. Working the clutch was over-the-top painful. I started in second, and shifted up to fourth -- drove to the ER with two gears.

CD
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I always drove my hiluxes same, take off in second then 4th. First was way too low geared.

Russ
 
SatNavSaysStraightOn said:
One of the reasons we went to ED is that I did exactly that back as a teenager.

I was at school in Germany at the time and took a bad fall. I had a glass glass in my hands at the time and was concentrating on not breaking that because the implications were huge. I fell down 3 steps that were pebble dashed. Ended up being sent home from school with the German family I was staying with having to pick me up by car and drop off a neighbour to ride home to bike I'd cycled into school that day. Stayed home the next 3 days (remainder of the week because I hurt so much) but I played down the injuries because of a number of things not least of all not wanting the fuss and attention, but also the family's eldest daughter was seriously ill in hospital, it had occurred the night before I fell. She needed emergency surgery and I felt that the family had enough on their hands without me... i was also due to go home in a couple of weeks so thought I'd just manage.

5 weeks later back in the UK, i went to my doctors because my ankle had this nagging pain that just wouldn't give up... I'd walked there. Whilst i was walking home, my doctor rang my parents to tell them i was not to walk to A&E... that was about an hour's walk away, each way something I'd not hesitate to walk... (my doctor had a daughter in the same class as myself at school who I'd known well for 7 years at this point). So when I got home, my parents handed me the car keys to drive myself to A&E not taking myself or my doctor seriously. Mind you neither did the nurse on duty at A&E when I was asked what was the problem "My doctor thinks I've broken my leg", "but you've just walked in here", "I've been walking on it for 5 weeks"...

Cue an hour or so later and my leg is now in plaster. It's an old mark 3 Ford Escort, 1.6 Ghia with an exceptionally heavy clutch and it was my left leg. Ring my parents only to find out that both of them have been drinking since I'd left and didn't think that one of them should refrain until they knew if it was broken. They ended up finding 2 (separate) neighbours to come in one vehicle, ringing the insurance broker (at home) and getting 1 of them onto the car's insurance for a single day in order to get the vehicle home.
All they had to do was not drink for a couple of hours... too much to ask

So having a history of being able to walk on a broken leg, it comes as no surprise that I do have a very minor break again and can walk on it. Only this time Australian law is very clear in the matter. If you can't safely stop a vehicle you're not allowed to drive and my right ankle qualified as not safe... it is that very problem this time around with my husband that is going to cause a lot of problems. It is his right ankle that is being fused. 12 weeks non-weightbearing, then rehab and physio can start. He's got to learn to walk again and won't be allowed to drive until a doctor clears him to in roughly 5-6 months. That means everything is going to fall on me who currently isn't doing that well!
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My wife's best workmate son 18 has been complaining of headaches, doctors sent him home. About two months ago he was back at hospital and told the same when a specialist who knew him asked what was wrong, he told him, had scans, brain cancer, he's doing chemo now, my wife's taking her out for a drink in an hour to take her mind off things.
His mum just survived breast cancer two years ago. Talk about bad luck in the family. Nicest family you could meet.

Russ
 
For those who like metal:

Marko Hietala just left Nightwish because of mental health issues. I wish him all the best, but we'll miss him! :(

His resignation letter for those interested:

Resignation announcement from Marko:
Dear people. I am leaving Nightwish and my public life.
For a quite a few years now I haven’t been able to feel validated by this life. We have streaming company big guns demanding 9/5 work from artists of inspiration while unfairly sharing the profits. Even among the artists. We’re the banana republic of the music industry. Biggest tour promoters squeeze percentages even from our own merchandise while paying dividends to Middle East. Apparently some theocrasies can take the money from the music that would get you beheaded or jailed there without appearing as hypocrites. Just a couple of examples here.
This past year forced me to stay home and think. And I found myself very disillusioned about these and a lot of things. I found out that I am in need of that validation. For me to write, sing and play, I need to find some new reasons and inspirations. ”My Walden” so to speak. And it’s even in my book that I’m a chronic depressive. It’s dangerous for me and the people around me, if I continue. Some of the thoughts a while back were dark. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I have my two sons, a wife, the rest of the family, friends, a dog and lots of love.
And I don’t think that I’ll be gone for good.
Conspiracy is the word of the day. For the people who like them I need to say that my 55th birthday is now on 14th of Jan and I’ve certainly done my time for now. Blaming for instance Tuomas is an insult to both him and my free thinking. This is a very sad thing to all of us too. Have a care please.
But of course now we’ll know, if some go there on purpose.
There are a couple of things agreed on that I will do on 2021. Otherwise I kindly and with respect ask the media, bands, artists projects etc. to not ask me for anything within the next year. I have some reinventing to do. I hope to tell you about it on 2022. It’s not a promise though.
I am so sorry about this.
Marko Hietala
P.S. Tony Iommi is an exception to the “no contact whatsoever”. Childhood hero takes a precedence.
 
Windigo said:
For those who like metal:

Marko Hietala just left Nightwish because of mental health issues. I wish him all the best, but we'll miss him! :(

His resignation letter for those interested:

Resignation announcement from Marko:
Dear people. I am leaving Nightwish and my public life.
For a quite a few years now I haven’t been able to feel validated by this life. We have streaming company big guns demanding 9/5 work from artists of inspiration while unfairly sharing the profits. Even among the artists. We’re the banana republic of the music industry. Biggest tour promoters squeeze percentages even from our own merchandise while paying dividends to Middle East. Apparently some theocrasies can take the money from the music that would get you beheaded or jailed there without appearing as hypocrites. Just a couple of examples here.
This past year forced me to stay home and think. And I found myself very disillusioned about these and a lot of things. I found out that I am in need of that validation. For me to write, sing and play, I need to find some new reasons and inspirations. ”My Walden” so to speak. And it’s even in my book that I’m a chronic depressive. It’s dangerous for me and the people around me, if I continue. Some of the thoughts a while back were dark. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I have my two sons, a wife, the rest of the family, friends, a dog and lots of love.
And I don’t think that I’ll be gone for good.
Conspiracy is the word of the day. For the people who like them I need to say that my 55th birthday is now on 14th of Jan and I’ve certainly done my time for now. Blaming for instance Tuomas is an insult to both him and my free thinking. This is a very sad thing to all of us too. Have a care please.
But of course now we’ll know, if some go there on purpose.
There are a couple of things agreed on that I will do on 2021. Otherwise I kindly and with respect ask the media, bands, artists projects etc. to not ask me for anything within the next year. I have some reinventing to do. I hope to tell you about it on 2022. It’s not a promise though.
I am so sorry about this.
Marko Hietala
P.S. Tony Iommi is an exception to the “no contact whatsoever”. Childhood hero takes a precedence.
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I don't like Nightwish (I never like the voices of their female vocalists), but they have a cover of Pink Floyd's "High Hopes" where Marko is singing, and that's the only Nightwish song I like, he has a really beautiful voice.
 
LissaC said:
I don't like Nightwish (I never like the voices of their female vocalists), but they have a cover of Pink Floyd's "High Hopes" where Marko is singing, and that's the only Nightwish song I like, he has a really beautiful voice.
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Heh, funny that. I never liked Marco's voice much. But he was a great addition to the band and an iconic performer on his own, so we'll miss him anyway. And I've had 8 years of singing classes to sound like those women, so you'll probably not want to hear me sing :laugh: Nightwish is my favorite band of all time, I already listened to them in 2000 when they were still underground.
 
Windigo said:
Heh, funny that. I never liked Marco's voice much. But he was a great addition to the band and an iconic performer on his own, so we'll miss him anyway. And I've had 8 years of singing classes to sound like those women, so you'll probably not want to hear me sing :laugh: Nightwish is my favorite band of all time, I already listened to them in 2000 when they were still underground.
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I usually prefer lower pitch voices (think Lemmy Kilmister or Peter Steele, they're some of my favorite male voices). I could never warm up to Nightwish because of their female singers. But my mom's boyfriend is a huge Nightwish fan. I also have a group chat with coworkers who are heavy metal fans like me and some of them are huge Nightwish fans, you helped me supply them with the sad morning news :laugh:
 
rascal said:
I always drove my hiluxes same, take off in second then 4th. First was way too low geared.

Russ
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I've taught five women to drive. Three wives, one girlfriend and my daughter. Three Thais and two Brits. I taught them to always start in first and never miss a gear. And that's how they've continued to drive (at least when I've been there).
 
mjd said:
Several years ago, I called a very well-known carpet company to inquire about their products and pricing. I was asked if I was married and said that I was (although I didn't understand the purpose of the question at the time). I was explicitly told that I "can't set up an appointment unless they had permission from my spouse." What?!?! I asked them if they would need MY permission if my husband had called to schedule the in-home visit and they admitted they would not. I had a job, could afford the carpet on my own and had excellent credit but they wouldn't schedule it unless they spoke to him first. And, guess who didn't care one bit about their stupid sexist rules? My H was more annoyed that he had to jump through a silly hoop for something I had total control in deciding. Needless to say, we had the whole house re-carpeted through another company.

I rent now but I would NEVER use that company if I ever owned another house.
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In fairness, it's not a sexism issue. I have worked with companies like this, they will not send out a salesperson unless both decision makers will be present, otherwise it is unlikely they will close the sale. Sales pitches are designed get the deal signed on the first visit, not having to make repeated follow up calls after partners are being consulted, or competitive quotes are obtained. Also, how many men would feel comfortable choosing new carpets without their wife being present?
 
epicuric said:
In fairness, it's not a sexism issue. I have worked with companies like this, they will not send out a salesperson unless both decision makers will be present, otherwise it is unlikely they will close the sale. Sales pitches are designed get the deal signed on the first visit, not having to make repeated follow up calls after partners are being consulted, or competitive quotes are obtained. Also, how many men would feel comfortable choosing new carpets without their wife being present?
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The issue is they said that my husband could have made an appointment without me being consulted.
 
epicuric said:
Also, how many men would feel comfortable choosing new carpets without their wife being present?
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Back in '85 when we were buying our house on The Wirral the then owner offered to sell us the fitted carpets for a few hundred quid extra. Both my wife and I agreed that the colours were terrible and we would probably have to pay to get rid of them so we said "no". The sellers took them up in a huff and took them away (they also took the light bulbs - cheeky buggers!).

My wife went out looking for new carpets (I was working at the time) and came up with a plain (I thought it was plain) light brown colour that she proposed for the lounge/dining room, entrance hall, stairs and upstairs landing. I rarely argued with my wife on such matters therefore the order was placed and within a few days the carpet fitters arrived. I cannot remember how long the fitting process took (no longer than a couple of days) but when it was complete, my wife rang me to tell me that the pattern was not straight (pattern?). She rang them and the supervisor came round and offered her a hundred quid as compensation. When I arrived home and heard this, even I could see the carpet wasn't laid straight (not rearly but if there's money involved....).

I rang them the next day and told the supervisor that my wife wanted the carpet replaced. He sounded almost in tears. I explained that there was no placating her; she was adamant that it had to be replaced. He upped the compensation to 200 quid but by him doing that I knew I had him on the ropes.

Eventually, a settlement of 600 quid was agreed.

I never really could see that the carpet wasn't laid square but if you pulled up a piece from the gripper, the weaving on the underside was definitely off kilter.
 
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epicuric said:
Also, how many men would feel comfortable choosing new carpets without their wife being present?
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Stereotyped gender roles are still an issue. A lot of people assume women will take of the house, do the cooking, etc, and men will look after cars, home repairs, etc. I remember many years ago, I was at work, calling my now ex-boyfriend and giving him instructions on how to turn on the washing machine. A colleague who was only 2/3 years older than me seemed genuinely surprised "Oh, you ask him to turn on the washing machine?" Yes I do. And I asked him to dust and vaccum too. Her partner couldn't do any household chores. And she once had to leave work to take their daughter to the hospital because the girl had a fever and the partner was helpless. Once again a lot of women reinforce this kind of behavior - they don't let men do anything because they don't clean properly, they store the dishes wrong, they can't soothe the baby, etc, they will find faults in anything the man ever does. Following the same line of reason women shouldn't expect men to fix everything the house and they should learn the basics themselves. But you still need to eat and clean more often than you need to fix the sink or paint a wall, though, so the chores better be shared between the two.
 
Life has always its downside. I had a colleague who thought to be revolutionary and respectful towards herself by often replying to her boyfriend that she wouldn’t have made this and that only because she was (I suppose still is) a woman.
She said to me “ah, I can’t stand he asks me things to do only because I am a woman!”
And I replied “nope, he asked you things because you are an adult and you can do it. And adults who live together give and take help to/from each others”.
 
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MypinchofItaly said:
Life has always its downside. I had a colleague who thought to be revolutionary and respectful towards herself by often replying to her boyfriend that she wouldn’t have made this and that only because she was (I suppose still is) a woman.
She said to me “ah, I can’t stand he asks me things to do only because I am a woman!”
And I replied “nope, he asked you things because you are an adult and you can do it. And adults who live together give and take help to/from each others”.
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However, those conditions are not mutually exclusive; but, I get your point.
 
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