Knees

[Sn!pe]

Are you there, Dodgy?

--
^Ï^ My pet rock Gordon just is.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Mon, 30 Mar 2020 13:17:11 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> Are you there, Dodgy?

Indeed, indeed. Self isolating out of sight in my barrel.

Happy daze. ;-)

--
Dodgy

[Sn!pe]

Yo, Dodgy, it's good to see you; I was beginning to think
that you might have given up Usenet in disgust.

Self-isolating here too, day 23 and counting. [yawn]

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Mon, 30 Mar 2020 15:08:28 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> Yo, Dodgy, it's good to see you; I was beginning to think that you
> might have given up Usenet in disgust.

Yep. Did that. And if I hadn't over the B word, I would have over some
people's views on C-19.

I've always known that usenet is a home for the mentally bewildered, but
since it lost it's mass popularity to Faecebook, it seems there are twice
as many. The same number on usenet and the same again FB. Or are they all
the same people.

> Self-isolating here too, day 23 and counting. [yawn]

I'm on day 19 but not totally locked down. I panicked when they said
'over 70 with breathing problems' assuming the grim reaper would be
hiding round every corner, so I gave myself a week off to get my head
round things and then the carrier in No 10 suggested that all unnecessary
jobs ought to be put on hold so I extended my vacation to 'indefinite'

My COPD is mild and I figure I'll likely be quite ill if I get the
fucking thing, but with any luck, I'll survive to clean someone's windows
again one day. As long as any of them are still standing.

Till then, I stay on home turf apart from a walk to the local store round
the corner, once in a while, to get some milk or beans or shredded wheat.
If the queue's not too long (less than five) and they have anything worth
buying.

--
Dodgy

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Mon, 30 Mar 2020 15:08:28 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:
>
> > Yo, Dodgy, it's good to see you; I was beginning to think that
> > you might have given up Usenet in disgust.
>
> Yep. Did that. And if I hadn't over the B word, I would have over some
> people's views on C-19.
>

Let us draw a veil - there have been far too many tub-thumping twits
on both topics.

> I've always known that usenet is a home for the mentally bewildered, but
> since it lost it's mass popularity to Faecebook, it seems there are twice
> as many. The same number on usenet and the same again FB. Or are they all
> the same people.
>
> > Self-isolating here too, day 23 and counting. [yawn]
>
> I'm on day 19 but not totally locked down. I panicked when they said
> 'over 70 with breathing problems' assuming the grim reaper would be
> hiding round every corner, so I gave myself a week off to get my head
> round things and then the carrier in No 10 suggested that all unnecessary
> jobs ought to be put on hold so I extended my vacation to 'indefinite'
>
> My COPD is mild and I figure I'll likely be quite ill if I get the
> fucking thing, but with any luck, I'll survive to clean someone's windows
> again one day. As long as any of them are still standing.
>

We're in the same boat then, Dodgy, I can't do anything
energetic these days. Fortunately Mrs S is very hale and
hearty - I rely on her pretty heavily these days. She
gets out for her hour's brisk walk every day and does the
supermarket and pharmacy run (we'd be somewhat in the cart
if she couldn't) but otherwise we're both stuck in and
blessed with each other's company all day.

>
> Till then, I stay on home turf apart from a walk to the local store round
> the corner, once in a while, to get some milk or beans or shredded wheat.
> If the queue's not too long (less than five) and they have anything worth
> buying.
>

BTW, I don't know if you saw the news about my granddaughter?
She had her op. three weeks ago and is now making an excellent
recovery. She had the op on the Tuesday and was sent home
three days later; simply amazing considering that they had to
completely unzip her at the front to get to her heart.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Mon, 30 Mar 2020 19:46:09 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> We're in the same boat then, Dodgy, I can't do anything energetic these
> days. Fortunately Mrs S is very hale and hearty - I rely on her pretty
> heavily these days. She gets out for her hour's brisk walk every day
> and does the supermarket and pharmacy run (we'd be somewhat in the cart
> if she couldn't) but otherwise we're both stuck in and blessed with
> each other's company all day.

My problem doesn't really affect me too much. A touch of asbestos damage
that is stable. My COPD nurse doesn't seem concerned about me and as long
as I use my inhaler morning and evening, I pretty much carry on as I
always did.

Can't deny that I'm a tad slower and have to rest more than in the past,
but I'm still cleaning windows - when I'm allowed by law, one day. Still
renovating the bungalow. Ought to have been finished by now but my new
knee intervened. And the second one would have but my hospital bed got
commandeered for virusy folk. No worries on that score. I'll wait till
the world is back to something approaching normality.

Me and the fair Wendy consider ourself quite lucky to be locked in
together, as it were. When we moved into this bungalow, five years ago,
we became a bit hermit like. Yeah sure, we would go out, socialise and
stuff, but we'd spend an awful long time amusing ourselves and, at least
for now, it doesn't feel very much different. I'm not gone for the
morning, and we don't go trainspotting, but mostly it just seems almost
normal. Apart from the fear, if you like. ;-)

>
> BTW, I don't know if you saw the news about my granddaughter? She had
> her op. three weeks ago and is now making an excellent recovery. She
> had the op on the Tuesday and was sent home three days later; simply
> amazing considering that they had to completely unzip her at the front
> to get to her heart.

I saw it going down as you were reporting it, but I was never aware of
what the problem was. 'To get at her heart' sounds a bit serious.

As for unzipping the front, my mate had a quadruple by-pass last year (he
thought he had a cold) and he said that's how he feels. Stunning what
they can do these days.





--
Dodgy

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Mon, 30 Mar 2020 19:46:09 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

[...]

> > BTW, I don't know if you saw the news about my granddaughter? She had
> > her op. three weeks ago and is now making an excellent recovery. She
> > had the op on the Tuesday and was sent home three days later; simply
> > amazing considering that they had to completely unzip her at the front
> > to get to her heart.
>
> I saw it going down as you were reporting it, but I was never aware of
> what the problem was. 'To get at her heart' sounds a bit serious.
>
> As for unzipping the front, my mate had a quadruple by-pass last year (he
> thought he had a cold) and he said that's how he feels. Stunning what
> they can do these days.

Indeed it is. My grandaughter had a hole in the heart and a misplaced
vein, hopefully all sorted now. I've no doubt that they'll be
monitoring her carefully as and when the epidemic permits.

BTW, I've seen Steve down the list, shall I pass on a greeting?

--
^Ï^ My pet rock Gordon embraces the Singularity.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Thu, 02 Apr 2020 11:06:31 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> Indeed it is. My grandaughter had a hole in the heart and a misplaced
> vein, hopefully all sorted now. I've no doubt that they'll be
> monitoring her carefully as and when the epidemic permits.

That was the scariest thing about a possible new knee job. Having had one
done, I'm an old hand and the procedure doesn't worry me. Much. But the
after care, for a while, is quite intense because of the possibility of
complications. I did not want to come out of hospital and go down with a
UTI (inevitable with a catheter) and find that no-one had the time to
help me out.

I can't believe that they *wouldn't* take care of me but if they are up
to their eyes...

Your GD will be top of any priority list though. Different ball game
entirely.

> BTW, I've seen Steve down the list, shall I pass on a greeting?

By all means. We've passed the time on sixtyplus over past weeks but I
really cant be arsed with that place any more. Even Vicky seems to have
abandoned it. She was its one real bright spot.

Good job there's 1D and ZZC. Otherwise I might have to join Facebook.
Using my real name. ;-)

--
Dodgy

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > BTW, I've seen Steve down the list, shall I pass on a greeting?
> >
>
> By all means. We've passed the time on sixtyplus over past weeks but I
> really cant be arsed with that place any more. Even Vicky seems to have
> abandoned it. She was its one real bright spot.
>

Yes, I'm in 60+; it's a very tired little froup though. I miss V too.

>
> Good job there's 1D and ZZC. Otherwise I might have to join Facebook.
> Using my real name. ;-)
>

Wash yer mouth out! I've closed my FB a/cs and permanently
deleted the content (at least, as far as FuckerBerg will permit).
I won't have anything to do with FB or allied apps now, TYVM.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Thu, 02 Apr 2020 12:46:28 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> Wash yer mouth out! I've closed my FB a/cs and permanently deleted the
> content (at least, as far as FuckerBerg will permit).
> I won't have anything to do with FB or allied apps now, TYVM.

I have a presence on it for one reason only. I like posting my rail
photos on a group that my mate set up. I post under a false name, I have
exactly one 'friend' (my mate) and never look at anything but the rail
group concerned.

I know I give 'The Zuc' my photos to steal and sell, but I only post the
lowest quality that lets the image to be recognisable, and I watermark
every image with my (fake) name. If anything is worth stealing under
those circumstances, I'd feel proud that anyone thought them worth the
effort.

And, rather obviously, I never post my best images. If I go to, say, a
railway station to take photos, I don't just take one. More like fifty,
and there's plenty of second rate stuff there to post.

Not so much these days. I'm restricted to garden birds. Which is OK. I've
learned the difference between a robin and a tit. So that's good. :-)

--
Dodgy

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@gmail.com> wrote:

[...]

> And, rather obviously, I never post my best images. If I go to, say, a
> railway station to take photos, I don't just take one. More like fifty,
> and there's plenty of second rate stuff there to post.
>
> Not so much these days. I'm restricted to garden birds. Which is OK. I've
> learned the difference between a robin and a tit. So that's good. :-)

Just don't ask me to take you under my wing
and tell you about the birds and bees...

[Diogenes of Synope]

Fear not, I'm up to snuff on wading birds. I can tell a little egret from
pretty much anything that doesn't end in 'egret' and snipes, blimey, dead
easy, your snipe. Jack snipes are smaller and woodcocks have a different
haircut.

I mean, you are a proper snipe, aren't you. Jack snipes are so, y'know,
small. ;-)

And, really, bees just buzz.

--
Dodgy

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@gmail.com> wrote:

[...]

> > Just don't ask me to take you under my wing and tell you about the birds
> > and bees...
>
> Fear not, I'm up to snuff on wading birds. I can tell a little egret from
> pretty much anything that doesn't end in 'egret' and snipes, blimey, dead
> easy, your snipe. Jack snipes are smaller and woodcocks have a different
> haircut.
>
> I mean, you are a proper snipe, aren't you. Jack snipes are so, y'know,
> small. ;-)
>

Some might accuse me of impropriety but I am, in fact, just a
Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago, at your service. Some call
me a "common as muck Snipe" but I couldn't possibly comment.

I dare say that you've seen portraits of me before, but I quite
like this one:-

<https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/snipe/>

>
> And, really, bees just buzz.
>

Busy little buggers, bees.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Fri, 03 Apr 2020 12:42:09 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> I dare say that you've seen portraits of me before, but I quite like
> this one:-
>
> <https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/
snipe/>

According to that page, you are a relative of the red necked phalerope
(phaleropus lobatus). Not mentioned in any of my bird books, but I'll not
gainsay it, but bow in your general direction since any relative of the
RNP (as we ornithologists call them) deserves respect.

A brief tale, if I may. Last year when we were still free, I had cause to
travel to that Arundel. Not fancying the Chichester by-pass for homeward
travel, I headed north towards Pulborough and the A272.

As we wended our merry way, I espied a sign wot read 'Pulborough RSPB'.
Being paid up members we decided to go have a look.

At the check in desk thing, the lady, seeing our RSPB cards and assuming
us to be knowledgeable, said 'Have you come to see the Red Necked
Phalerope?'.

The, er, what, we spluttered, after which followed a lecture on the RNP.
Essentially, it stops over in East Anglia on it's normal migration path,
and occasionally, some get a bit off track and end up in Pulborough. One
such was reputed to be there on that very day.

One other thing about the RNP, is that it is said to always swim in
clockwise circles scooping foodstuffs off the surface of the pond. Well
we just had to go find out if this was true.

The nice lady gave a map and pointed to the lake/pond where the RNP was
last seen and we set off. Well on the map, I swear it was only an inch
away, but in reality, an hour's walking didn't get us there. I was by
this time, limping pretty badly. So we turned, disappointed and headed
back to the car.

By the time we got home, I was in serious pain and, possibly for the
first time ever, Wendy had to help me indoors and onto the bed, from
which I hardly moved for a week.

So, friends and neighbours, it's all down to your brightly coloured
relative, that I'm on a waiting list for a new knee. First chance I got,
I was off to my GP demanding something be done.

Shame we never saw the red necked phalerope but I know where there's a
snipe I could go look at if I became desperate. ;-)


> Busy little buggers, bees.

I tried to explain to TFW this morning, bees buzz, hornets hum.

How do you know the difference between a hum and a buzz, she asked.

No idea, I said and went back to studying a blue tit which was snacking
on one of my fat balls. ;-)



--
Dodgy

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Fri, 03 Apr 2020 12:42:09 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:
>
> > I dare say that you've seen portraits of me before, but I quite like
> > this one:-
> >
> > <https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/snipe/>
>
> According to that page, you are a relative of the red necked phalerope
> (phaleropus lobatus). Not mentioned in any of my bird books, but I'll not
> gainsay it, but bow in your general direction since any relative of the
> RNP (as we ornithologists call them) deserves respect.
>
> A brief tale, if I may. Last year when we were still free, I had cause to
> travel to that Arundel. Not fancying the Chichester by-pass for homeward
> travel, I headed north towards Pulborough and the A272.
>
> As we wended our merry way, I espied a sign wot read 'Pulborough RSPB'.
> Being paid up members we decided to go have a look.
>
> At the check in desk thing, the lady, seeing our RSPB cards and assuming
> us to be knowledgeable, said 'Have you come to see the Red Necked
> Phalerope?'.
>
> The, er, what, we spluttered, after which followed a lecture on the RNP.
> Essentially, it stops over in East Anglia on it's normal migration path,
> and occasionally, some get a bit off track and end up in Pulborough. One
> such was reputed to be there on that very day.
>
> One other thing about the RNP, is that it is said to always swim in
> clockwise circles scooping foodstuffs off the surface of the pond. Well
> we just had to go find out if this was true.
>

A yes, good ol' Phalaropus lobatus. The reason that they
always swim clockwise is because they're closely related
to the fabled Oozlum bird, which, as I'm sure you know,
flies in ever-decreasing circles (usually anti-clockwise in
the Northern hemisphere) eventually to disappear into a
black hole.

We snipe are generally on good terms with phalaropes, although
we do tend to regard them as a little flashy in their plumage
and definitely deficient in the beek department. Still and
all, they're good enough company in the pub.

I note that the phalarope depicted in:
<https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/red-necked-phalarope/>
is giving that glad-eye come-hither look. Don't be taken in,
phalaropes do have a bit of a "reputation".

>
> The nice lady gave a map and pointed to the lake/pond where the RNP was
> last seen and we set off. Well on the map, I swear it was only an inch
> away, but in reality, an hour's walking didn't get us there. I was by
> this time, limping pretty badly. So we turned, disappointed and headed
> back to the car.
>
> By the time we got home, I was in serious pain and, possibly for the
> first time ever, Wendy had to help me indoors and onto the bed, from
> which I hardly moved for a week.
>
> So, friends and neighbours, it's all down to your brightly coloured
> relative, that I'm on a waiting list for a new knee. First chance I got,
> I was off to my GP demanding something be done.
>
> Shame we never saw the red necked phalerope but I know where there's a
> snipe I could go look at if I became desperate. ;-)
>

You'd better let me know that you're coming, otherwise you
might find me [ahem] somewhat décolleté. I'm being a bit
slack about the niceties of attire while we're in lockdown.
If I can't go out I will most definitely make sure that I'm
comfortable if not smart. Besides, I'm about due for my
Spring moult.

>
> > Busy little buggers, bees.
>
> I tried to explain to TFW this morning, bees buzz, hornets hum.
>
> How do you know the difference between a hum and a buzz, she asked.
>
> No idea, I said and went back to studying a blue tit which was snacking
> on one of my fat balls. ;-)
>

Interesting Facts: In the Land of Holes, bees go "Zum";
not only that but cows go "Boo" and sheep go "Maa".
Strange but troo.

It's good to hear that you have fat balls as well as blue tits.
Well done that twitcher!

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Sat, 04 Apr 2020 11:26:55 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> I note that the phalarope depicted in:
> <https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/
red-necked-phalarope/>
> is giving that glad-eye come-hither look. Don't be taken in,
> phalaropes do have a bit of a "reputation".

She does look a bit, y'know, enthusiastic.

> If I can't go out I will most definitely make sure that I'm comfortable
> if not smart. Besides, I'm about due for my Spring moult.

Not going anywhere for a trio of months, at least, I'm thinking, so go
ahead and moult.

>>
>> No idea, I said and went back to studying a blue tit which was snacking
>> on one of my fat balls. ;-)
>>
>>
> Interesting Facts: In the Land of Holes, bees go "Zum";
> not only that but cows go "Boo" and sheep go "Maa".
> Strange but troo.

I knew some of that. But cows going 'Boo'. That's unnerving, o say the
least.

> It's good to hear that you have fat balls as well as blue tits.
> Well done that twitcher!

Me 'birder' rather than twitcher. You'll not catch me crossing deserts to
catch a glimpse of a lesser spotted glockenspiel eater. RSPB reserves, my
back garden and the mud down by the river. If they can't be arsed to land
in one of those, I simply will not take their picture

Although I will drive to Alresford for nice Red Kite.

My Coronabirds collection, so far, here..

https://pbase.com/mfann56/coronabirds

--
Dodgy

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@gmail.com> wrote:

[...]

> Although I will drive to Alresford for nice Red Kite.
>

I've seen Red Kites over Cheesefoot Head lately.
BTW, I see another biker has recently wiped out
not far from there. They do seem to like the A272.

>
> My Coronabirds collection, so far, here..
>
> <https://pbase.com/mfann56/coronabirds>
>

They're nice, Dodgy; we have a bird feeder but the
squirrels have been gorging on it and scaring most
of the birds away. Still, I think I've fixed that now.


In other news: I've recently heard from Steve - he's
in about day 13 of CV19 and on the mend at last,
although he says he's feeling too grotty for Usenet.
He seems to be over the worst, though, and reckons
that 22 days is about the norm for the dreaded lurgi
to run its course.

--
^Ï^ My pet rock Gordon just is.

[Diogenes of Synope]

Sorry for the delay here. I installed a new OS and, cleverly, failed to
make a note of the server names and password. I knew they were faithfully
recorded somewhere, but where.....

Anyway, found them. Back on ES for the first time in a decade. Just for
old times sake.

On Wed, 15 Apr 2020 22:58:41 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:


> I've seen Red Kites over Cheesefoot Head lately.

Might even be the same pair. Their 'area' would be big enough to cover
Cheesefoot to Cheriton.

> BTW, I see another biker has recently wiped out not far from there.
> They do seem to like the A272.

Sometimes I'm ashamed to belong to the biker community. So many fucking
idiots. I'd bet a fair amount that he was taking advantage of the empty
roads to be stupid.

Some of the readers letters that I've read in Motorcycle News recently,
regarding going for a ride during lock-down, make my toes curl. If it
wasn't for the cost to the emergency services, I'd be very much inclined
to let them go kill themselves. Maybe a bit harsh but jeez, I thought
getting a brain cell or two at birth was obligatory. Seems not.

> They're nice, Dodgy; we have a bird feeder but the squirrels have been
> gorging on it and scaring most of the birds away. Still, I think I've
> fixed that now.

Our squirrel(s) seem to co-exist with the garden birds quite well, and
can't tell a lie, they amuse the hell out of us, the way they manage to
get food out of the bird feeders.

I had a load of topsoil delivered the other day. I was looking for the
easiest way of making our weed patch into a lawn. Time will tell if that
has worked, anyway, over the course of the day, me and Mrs D. barrowed it
all round the back into a couple of heaps.

The squirrel took the opportunity to dislodge the peanut container off
the bird stand. It hit the ground and scattered nuts. Silas Squirrel
proceeded to bury them all in the nearest pile of top soil.

Next day, I raked said topsoil over the area of prospective lawn, threw
seed at it and sat back to watch it grow. Watching Silas looking for his
nuts was highly entertaining. I'm pretty sure most of them are in the
wheel barrow amongst the surplus dirt that I've saved for a bit of
potting. He didn't think to look there.

> In other news: I've recently heard from Steve - he's in about day 13 of
> CV19 and on the mend at last,
> although he says he's feeling too grotty for Usenet.
> He seems to be over the worst, though, and reckons that 22 days is about
> the norm for the dreaded lurgi to run its course.

OMG. My first known CV19 case. I mean, obviously I know *of* thousands,
but Steve's is the first name that I could properly connect with. Glad
he's getting better. Probably glad I didn't know he had it. Bad enough
worrying about the Johnson bloke, and normally I couldn't care less if he
lived or died.

There are times, in all this, when I wonder if I'm being over cautious. I
mean, my COPD is only very mild so, y'know, what's a bit of a cough and
fever. But then I hear about someone like Steve, and really, I don't want
the bloody virus. At all. I'm convinced it won't kill me (it might) but
it does sound like a really unpleasant disease to have. So I'll stay
indoors and wash my hands every twenty minutes or so.

--
Dodgy.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Wed, 15 Apr 2020 22:58:41 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> In other news: I've recently heard from Steve - he's in about day 13 of
> CV19 and on the mend at last,

I was a bit slow there. You wrote that ten days ago. He must be fit as a
flea by now. Hoorah!



--
Dodgy.

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@googlemail.com> wrote:

> Sorry for the delay here. I installed a new OS and, cleverly, failed to
> make a note of the server names and password. I knew they were
> faithfully recorded somewhere, but where.....
>
> Anyway, found them. Back on ES for the first time in a decade.
> Just for old times sake.
>

I can give up Usenet whenever I want; I don't ~need~ it...

>
> On Wed, 15 Apr 2020 22:58:41 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

[...]

> > BTW, I see another biker has recently wiped out not far from there.
> > They do seem to like the A272.
>
> Sometimes I'm ashamed to belong to the biker community. So many
> fucking idiots. I'd bet a fair amount that he was taking advantage of
> the empty roads to be stupid.
>
> Some of the readers letters that I've read in Motorcycle News recently,
> regarding going for a ride during lock-down, make my toes curl. If it
> wasn't for the cost to the emergency services, I'd be very much inclined
> to let them go kill themselves. Maybe a bit harsh but jeez, I thought
> getting a brain cell or two at birth was obligatory. Seems not.
>

I wouldn't dream of tarring all bikers with the same brush, but mine
ghods, there are some ~utter pillocks~ out there on two wheels.
</rant>

[...]

>
> Our squirrel(s) seem to co-exist with the garden birds quite well, and
> can't tell a lie, they amuse the hell out of us, the way they manage to
> get food out of the bird feeders.
>

The little so-and-sos had the whole feeder off the tree a couple of
days ago, but I reckon I've spiked his guns now. [watch this space]

I've just come indoors from watching the bats swooping about
above our gaden at eaves height. They are amazing creatures,
it's a great shame that they've had such a bad press lately.

[...]

> > In other news: I've recently heard from Steve - he's in about
> > day 13 of CV19 and on the mend at last, although he says
> > he's feeling too grotty for Usenet. He seems to be over the worst,
> > though, and reckons that 22 days is about the norm for the
> > dreaded lurgi to run its course.
> >
>
> OMG. My first known CV19 case. I mean, obviously I know *of* thousands

> but Steve's is the first name that I could properly connect with. Glad

> he's getting better. Probably glad I didn't know he had it. [...]
>

Steve is back in 60+ at last and seems none the worse
for his experience.

>
> There are times, in all this, when I wonder if I'm being over cautious.
> I mean, my COPD is only very mild so, y'know, what's a bit of a cough
> and fever. But then I hear about someone like Steve, and really, I don't
> want the bloody virus. At all. I'm convinced it won't kill me (it might)
> but it does sound like a really unpleasant disease to have. So I'll
> stay indoors and wash my hands every twenty minutes or so.
>

Yup.

My COPD is apparently at stage 2 now - stairs and inclines are
a bit of a struggle so I'm being extra careful. I did take the
car out for an hour's drive yesterday though, the first time
it's turned a wheel in over a month. Fortunately it started
first time, so that's a blessing. Anyway, it was triffic to be
out in traffic; I was beginning to get cabin fever.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Sun, 26 Apr 2020 21:41:16 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:


> I can give up Usenet whenever I want; I don't ~need~ it...

Of course, bro, of course. ;-)

>> On Wed, 15 Apr 2020 22:58:41 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

>>
> I wouldn't dream of tarring all bikers with the same brush, but mine
> ghods, there are some ~utter pillocks~ out there on two wheels. </rant>

I've often wondered whether there is any direct connection between near
death accidents and sensible (or not) riders. I was given the last rites
in 1968 cos I wasn't supposed to see the night out (I changed my mind).
It's true to say that it didn't totally stop me being stupid but it put a
whole new slant on just *how* stupid

>

> The little so-and-sos had the whole feeder off the tree a couple of days
> ago, but I reckon I've spiked his guns now. [watch this space]

We never saw it happen, but we found the feeder on the ground and the
screw-on top, still hanging from the tree. It's for sure the sparrows
didn't unscrew it. Of course now, when Mrs D wants put feed in, I have to
be on hand with a spanner. No squirrel is going to unscrew that sucker now

> I've just come indoors from watching the bats swooping about above our
> gaden at eaves height. They are amazing creatures,
> it's a great shame that they've had such a bad press lately.

Great to watch. I feel I can almost hear them, but it's just outside my
range.

>
>
>>
> Steve is back in 60+ at last and seems none the worse for his
> experience.

He's lucky I guess. Or unlucky to have gotten it. Either way, glad he's
OK.

>
> My COPD is apparently at stage 2 now - stairs and inclines are a bit of
> a struggle so I'm being extra careful. I did take the car out for an
> hour's drive yesterday though, the first time it's turned a wheel in
> over a month. Fortunately it started first time, so that's a blessing.
> Anyway, it was triffic to be out in traffic; I was beginning to get
> cabin fever.

I was diagnosed with asbestos damage. Chest xrays and all the crap 'Have
you ever been exposed to asbestos?' the one question I never wanted to
hear, cos I had, a lot, and I was convinced I'd gotten away with it.
Anyway, they said it was the least worst version and that it would remain
stable and I would never die of it.

Nothing was ever said about COPD till a year on, I got a call from 'your
COPD nurse'. So I got COPD and my own nurse in one phone call. So I have
a meeting and tests once a year and they still assure me it's perfectly
stable but they are making sure.

It's almost four years since I went to my GP about my noisy breathing and
as long as use my puffer as told, I feel absolutely fine.

Not sure about this bloody virus though.

--
Dodgy.

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@googlemail.com> wrote:

> On Sun, 26 Apr 2020 21:41:16 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

[...]

> > I've just come indoors from watching the bats swooping about

> > above our garden at eaves height. They are amazing creatures,

> > it's a great shame that they've had such a bad press lately.
>
> Great to watch. I feel I can almost hear them, but it's just
> outside my range.

I haven't seen them since, but the weather's broken;
I got hailed on in the garden today, FFS!

[...]

> Not sure about this bloody virus though.

You said a mouthful there. I went into voluntary lockdown
three weeks before it became official - eight weeks today.
I've been out of the front door ~once~ since official lockdown
began - I took the car out for an hour last weekend to pump
up the battery and stop myself climbing the walls. I'll go
again next time it's sunny, and if Ol' Bill pulls me over I
have a speech rehearsed for him.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Fri, 01 May 2020 21:44:27 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> I haven't seen them since, but the weather's broken;
> I got hailed on in the garden today, FFS!

My shed roof had a perfect covering of whiteness. I'd only just come
indoors when it started, By the noise on the conservatory roof, it might
have been painful out there.

>
>> Not sure about this bloody virus though.
>
> You said a mouthful there. I went into voluntary lockdown three weeks
> before it became official - eight weeks today. I've been out of the
> front door ~once~ since official lockdown began - I took the car out for
> an hour last weekend to pump up the battery and stop myself climbing the
> walls. I'll go again next time it's sunny, and if Ol' Bill pulls me
> over I have a speech rehearsed for him.

I had a case of 'Oh double fuck!' type panic on the 13th march (it was a
Friday) and decided to have a week off to see how it went. His heavenly
Boness locked us down at the beginning of the following week. So I'm a
week longer than most but I do go outside for a walk and, like you, I
drive the van or car once in a while. Sorry officer. I didn't mean to. It
was an accident.

Sunday evening is our preferred time for being naughty. Almost nothing on
the road and have yet to see a cop car. Which is good cos they prolly
pull me over just because there was no-one else.

Being over 70 and COPD, I must be 'at risk' but I've never had a letter
saying I should isolate myself, so I don't. Not totally. Just being
extremely careful about getting near anything or anyone when walking the
streets.

--
Dodgy.

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@googlemail.com> wrote:

> On Fri, 01 May 2020 21:44:27 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

[...]

> >> Not sure about this bloody virus though.
> >
> > You said a mouthful there. I went into voluntary lockdown three weeks
> > before it became official - eight weeks today. I've been out of the
> > front door ~once~ since official lockdown began - I took the car out for
> > an hour last weekend to pump up the battery and stop myself climbing the
> > walls. I'll go again next time it's sunny, and if Ol' Bill pulls me
> > over I have a speech rehearsed for him.
>
>
> I had a case of 'Oh double fuck!' type panic on the 13th march (it was a
> Friday) and decided to have a week off to see how it went. His heavenly
> Boness locked us down at the beginning of the following week. So I'm a
> week longer than most but I do go outside for a walk and, like you, I
> drive the van or car once in a while. Sorry officer. I didn't mean to. It
> was an accident.
>
> Sunday evening is our preferred time for being naughty. Almost nothing on
> the road and have yet to see a cop car. Which is good cos they prolly
> pull me over just because there was no-one else.
>
> Being over 70 and COPD, I must be 'at risk' but I've never had a letter
> saying I should isolate myself, so I don't. Not totally. Just being
> extremely careful about getting near anything or anyone when walking the
> streets.
>

Somewhat apropos, apart from the bit about
learning to play the saxophone:

<https://youtu.be/YhQ5Dg6gdEw>

or maybe:

<https://youtu.be/x4yXhuwQRQs>

A big fan of Steely Dan, me.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Sat, 02 May 2020 23:19:46 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> A big fan of Steely Dan, me.

Veeery interesting. Despite the fact that FM (the track) is a giant of
cool rock (IMHO), I've never really tried to get into SD. Might have to
spend some virus ridden pounds on a CD or two off Ebay.

Not massively moved thus far by Deacon Blues, but The Caves of Altamira
is pretty damned good. Takes me back to when BS&T and fabulous early
Chicago, ruled my musical life.

I feel a brass inspired evening coming on. ;-)

--
Dodgy.

[Sn!pe]

Diogenes of Synope <dodgyknees...@googlemail.com> wrote:

> On Sat, 02 May 2020 23:19:46 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:
>
> > A big fan of Steely Dan, me.
>
> Veeery interesting. Despite the fact that FM (the track) is a giant of
> cool rock (IMHO), I've never really tried to get into SD. Might have to
> spend some virus ridden pounds on a CD or two off Ebay.
>
> Not massively moved thus far by Deacon Blues, but The Caves of Altamira
> is pretty damned good. Takes me back to when BS&T and fabulous early
> Chicago, ruled my musical life.
>

As it happens, now that I'm blessed with a nice big NAS,
I'm in the midst of re-ripping my 'normous CD library as
Apple Lossless m4a. I could do with a friendly home for a
few off-site backup security copies. You could email me
if you think you might be able to help with some of them.

>
> I feel a brass inspired evening coming on. ;-)
>

I like a good brass band, indeed I do.

--
^Ï^ <https://youtu.be/_kqytf31a8E>

[Mick]

On Wed, 06 May 2020 09:42:27 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> As it happens, now that I'm blessed with a nice big NAS, I'm in the
> midst of re-ripping my 'normous CD library as Apple Lossless m4a. I
> could do with a friendly home for a few off-site backup security copies.
> You could email me if you think you might be able to help with some of
> them.
>

You might have to email me first on this addy. I have no idea what works
in your world and, although the 'Dodgy' address is dead real and works, I
can't remember the password. Must investigate that one

Anyway, yes, a few off site back up copies would be most welcome.

I started doing mine as FLAC but got bored. Basically I just rip to Ogg.
Better than MP3 and a bit less space. But whatever format your off site
back up copies come in, will be fine. ;-)

>> I feel a brass inspired evening coming on. ;-)
>>
>>
> I like a good brass band, indeed I do.

Brass is cool. Black Dyke Mills or Herb Alpert. Lovely sound. I listened
to Chicago 2 last night. The brassy stuff on that can make your ears
bleed. Happy memories of strange weed round my mates house when his folks
were away.

[Sn!pe]

Mick <mick....@gmail.com> wrote:

> You might have to email me first on this addy.

YHM

[Sn!pe]

Mick <mick....@gmail.com> wrote:

> >> I feel a brass inspired evening coming on. ;-)
> >
> > I like a good brass band, indeed I do.
>
> Brass is cool. Black Dyke Mills or Herb Alpert. Lovely sound. I listened
> to Chicago 2 last night. The brassy stuff on that can make your ears
> bleed. Happy memories of strange weed round my mates house when his folks
> were away.

Ah me, the follies of yoof.
I'm very fond of Chicago too; big, beefy sound they have.

[Diogenes of Synope]

On Wed, 06 May 2020 14:25:22 +0100, Sn!pe wrote:

> Ah me, the follies of yoof.
> I'm very fond of Chicago too; big, beefy sound they have.
>

Back around the early 70s,a few of us would terrorise the pubs of Bishops
Waltham and Swanmore. The Hunters at Swanmore had an excellent choice on
the jukebox and we would make the most of it to the annoyance of everyone
else. When me and my mate John discovered Make Me Smile by Chicago, that
was basically that for weeks, if not months, to the point where the
landlord asked us nicely if we'd play something else.

I think he would have liked to take the record off and burn it but we
were, y'know, regulars, so he left it on. It did disappear eventually but
he swore it was out of his hands. The juke box guy had been round and did
his normal record change.

We were sad to find that Make Me Smile wasn't in the box of singles on
the bar, for sale, after a normal record swap. Maybe the jukebox guy kept
it for himself of maybe the landlord had a ceremonial burning.

We didn't mind too much because '25 or 6 to 4' had been added in its
place. So we drove everyone mad with that.

--
Dodgy.