A Word Calls Up A Storm In Germany
My old German teacher; Frank Stabler, said that the German’s loved words and often joined them together to make long new ones.
But a new word imported into German from American English is causing a bit of a controversy.
The word is shitstorm and it was voted Anglicism of the Year in 2012 by German language experts, as is reported here.
It’s even been used by Angela Merkel, but I don’t think I’ve ever used it!
Just Sent A Text From My Landline
A guy rang me and a text was the best way to send him some info. So I used my BT6500 to send him a text.
German Pipe Fittings
On my trip back from Stockholm, between Osnabruck and Cologne, I sat next to a German electrical engineer.
He astounded me at one point, by saying that German pipe fittings on industrial plants were in Imperial units.
I have been unable to check on the Internet, but I assume it is true and is probably down to American influence.
The Dalston House Reaches China
I’ve just picked up an article on the Dalston House on a Chinese web site.
So I suppose we’ll now see Dalston Houses all over China.
The Archbishop Preaches
According to the Sunday Times, the Archbishop of Canterbury, wants to drive payday lenders and loan sharks out of business. He has delivered a speech to the House of Lords on the subject and it’s reported here.
I don’t share his optimism, as there are some bad practices that are impossible to stamp out, save of executing everybody who does them! But even would that discourage smokers? I doubt it!
He says we should encourage the growth of credit unions. It’s a laudable aim, but we have just so many financial illiterates for it to make any difference.
I Don’t Want Another Card
I am trying to declutter my life.
I Don’t Want Another Card
So the one thing, I don’t want is another card. In fact these days, I don’t bother with loyalty cards. If I don’t get decent service, I go elsewhere. Shops, restaurants, train operators and airports, have to earn my loyalty.
If I look at Heathrow, I might go out from there if I could use Terminal 5, as there is a decent gluten-free restaurant there.
An Incident In Pizza Express
Last night, I went to a new-for-me Pizza Express in Curtain Road, close to Shoreditch High Street station.
I always have the same meal in Pizza Express, and that’s a bottle of Aspall Cyder and a gluten-free caprisiosa pizza. The pizza comes on a slate.
Gluten-Free Pizza At Pizza Express
It was of the usual high standard and was exactly like the one in the picture, which I took in their restaurant in Islington.
But when I started to cut it, with their pizza cutter, the action set up a vibration, which meant the various bottles and glasses on my table started to migrate about.
I didn’t notice what was happening, until I heard the half-drunk bottle of Aspall cyder fall on the floor, where it didn’t break, but proceeded to spin, spilling some of the cyder on the floor.
I retrieved the bottle and I judged very little had been split, despite the fall as it virtually filled my half-pint glass. A half-pint glass is 284 cl. and the bottle of cyder is 330 cl. But I had had a long drink before the bottle fell.
I think the incident shows the strength of the Aspall bottles, which were brought in to save glass.
The UK To Get A Huguenot Heritage Centre
My mother’s family was of Huguenot ancestry, with her father being an engraver of note.
So I was pleased to see an article in The Times saying that a Huguenote Heritage Centre is being set up at The French Hospital in Rochester.
I Don’t Buy Cleaning Materials Any More
I live in a three-bedroomed house, with a large living room and a small kitchen, so it isn’t the most difficult place to keep clean. I use contract cleaners, who come once a week, bringing everything they need and cost me about sixty pounds.
So as I’m writing a big shopping list for the next few days, it’s very simple, as there is no cleaning materials at all. The only thing, that I buy, that isn’t food or drink, is washing up liquid, washing detergent, soap, toothpaste and toilet paper.
It certainly makes life a lot simpler, as over the last forty or so years, finding decent cleaners has always been a problem for C and myself.
Why Can’t Basil Stick To The Countryside?
I went out this morning to get my paper and collect my laundry and there was mess all over the street.
Why Can’t Basil Stick To The Countryside?
But by the distinct smell, I could identify the culprit. He’d probably dragged the rubbish from somewhere up the street. It certainly isn’t mine, as I don’t use black bags and I have a fox-proof wheelie-bin.
The Anonymous Widower 