Brass Washers As Earrings and a Watering Can Handbag
I saw the first on the tube and the brass washers were there in all their engineering brilliance hanging from a young lady’s ears. No wonder I can’t get any to complete my staircase! I would have photograhed them for this blog, as I was so disgusted at the application. And it’s probably rude and/or illegal to take pictures of a lady’s ears on the Underground.
I saw the second last night, as a lady walked towards me on the station with what looked like a shiny green watering can under her arm. As she passed me I could see it was a handbag complete with a fake spout.
Will I ever understand women’s fashion? Probably, never!
The Advantage of Being a Widow
Let’s face it, there aren’t many advantages in losing your long-term partner, but there is one.
You often immediately know that a phone call is a scam or just downright fraud.
I just had a call from a number 0845-1113111, which because of its form I thought was one of those rediculous automated text messages. Annoying those may be, but at least they are genuine. If you need to know more about the number that called me, look here.
I knew when the caller started that it was an unwanted call, as the idiot on the line asked for Mr. or Mrs. xxxx. As my wife died over three years ago now, it wasn’t the smartest thing for him to do. I told him politely that she’d died and the number was registered with the Telephone Preference Service. But he kept going on about government grants and in the end I told him to Foxtrot Oscar and left him talking to the radio.
Anybody who asks for my late wife is always considered by me to be a scammer unless they prove themselves otherwise. Some do, as they are solicitors or other genuine callers trying to reach her, who haven’t heard that she in fact has passed on.
The Fake Euro Taxi Scam
Someone tried this on me last night.
A guy rang my bell about 10 last night. When he rang a second time, I opened the wiondow from upstairs and shouted down to him.
He said he’d just returned from France and had come to see my neighbour, who incidentally I’ve only met once and can’t remember his name. I’ve only met him the one time as he’s rarely there. My visitor said he’d only got euros for the taxi and could I change some. As there has been e-mails going round about people doing this and then leaving you with a batch of fake euros, I told him to go and try someone else. He seemed a well-turned out white guy of about twenty, and didn’t have fraudster tattooed across his forehead. But then if you want to con someone, the first thing you do is make it look feasible.
I did report the incident to the local police. It was a pity I didn’t photograph him though!
The joke was that if he had been genuine, I wouldn’t have been able to change his euros, as I only had a fiver in the house.
How To Organise a Company
I found this article on the WordPress site.
It just shows how blogging is more than just an expression of one person’s vanity, but a complete philosophy for the management of a company and its web presense. I won’t say site, as that is so out-of-date and constricting.
Proceeding Along the Balls Pond Road
Policemen always used to proceed rather than walk. A policeman friend, explained it was a steady gait, that allowed you to observe what was happening as you patrolled.
A few days ago, I was walking along the Balls Pond Road in a westerly direction and was surprised to see two people in high-visibililty jackets in the top front seats of a number 38 bus. It struck me as unusual as those who wear these types of yellow jackets seem to be rarely seen on buses.
When the bus passed me, I saw it was two police officers and they were observing all around from their high perch.
So are the Metropolitan Police saving money by using buses? It sounds a good idea to me, as high up as they were, they would be getting an execellent view of the traffic and the people on the street. They also had just crossed a junction, where a pedestrian had been hit by a car, which had then driven off.
The Good News on the Weather
The Times today, has an item entitled, If you thought winter was dull, you were right.
The South East of England suffered its gloomiest winter on record, the Met Office said. The region received 40% fewer hours of sun than usual between December and the end of February. London was particularly grey, with only 98.2 hours of sunshine at Heathrow – its darkest winter since monitoring began in 1957.
In a reversal of the usual winter pattern, the North West was much brighter than usual. Northern Ireland received 223 hours of sunshine, 62% above average, while Scotland was 20% above average. However, those sunny skies were accompanied by high-pressure systems and freezing weather. It was the most brutal early winter since 1890. Temperatures plunged to -21C (-6F) at Altnaharra, Highlands, for example. But while most winters grow colder this one turned warmer and February was remarkably mild.
Another surprise was how dry the season was. Despite the snow, precipitation was 22% below normal. “This is typical of cooler winters, when the weather becomes blocked by high pressure, which brings cold winds but little precipitation,” said Barry Gromett of the Met Office. “Snow doesn’t actually contain as much water as you think; a 10cm snowfall is equivalent to 1cm rain.”
So this is good news for me, as it explains why I’m feeling so lousy. No sun! My cardiologist, who said I needed two weeks in the sun, was right.
Paper Bin Bags
I’ve started to use paper bin bags to line my useless bin.
Paper Bin Liners
I got mine from a company called Healthy Planet Bags.
They work pretty well, although I think I’ve bought the wrong size. They are 100% biodegradable too!
But then the bin manufacturer wouldn’t want the bin to fit any bags other than their own expensive ones.
I also think that the best option would be the standard American grocery bag that doubles as a rubbish sack.
Surely someone must sell them in the UK!
Sorting the Wall-Mounted Vegetable Rack
As you’ll see from this photo, I’ve now got a proper wall-mounted vegetable rack courtesy of IKEA.
Wall-Mounted Vegetable Rack
When I bought the Bygel wire basket, I thought it needed to be hung on a rail, but you can take the handle off and screw it directly to the wall. They cost only £1.52 each, but I did need to supply my own screws and washers though.
So it cost a lot less than the one I found from Trovit homes at £229950.
When Is It Going To Get Warmer?
I’ve just watched the weather forecast and although it might be sunnier today, it is unlikely that the temperature will make double figures.
But at least my house is warm!
One problem is that I took my warm coat to the laundry because it was so filthy and I haven’t got it back yet.
I don’t think I have ever known such a period of wretched weather in the UK.
The weathergirl on BBC London also appears to be trying to warm, at least the males up, by wearing a short dress with a low neckline, dark tights and high heels.
The Anonymous Widower 