WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Stanley]

I have cracked one of the problems that has nagged me for years. When warming a pot of tea up in the microwave the handle always ended up at the back. Only a small thing but it nattered me. I have realised that my microwave always stops 180 degrees from where it starts so if you put the pot in with the handle at the back in the first place it ends up being at the front when it finishes. This is a step forward in our mastery of the machines!

[Cathy]

You can now buy microwave ovens that stop with the handle at the front automatically.

[Stanley]

Curses! I have been overtaken by modern technology.... Again!

[Stanley]

I commented on the moving of the wave feature from the Town Square to the Community Centre. I did a pic of it this morning on my way back from my flu jab. It must have been a hell of a job moving it!

[Tizer]

I've just remembered something from my walk this morning. There was a very bright object in the sky directly South at 6AM, it seemed to be moving slowly towards the East. Too big for a planet.... Helen at the Co-op asked me if I'd seen it and that reminded me to post. Anyone any idea what it was?

I think you might have decided this was something to do with the new street lights but here is a coincidence for you....this took place on the day before your observation:
`PSLV Successfully Launches India’s Multi Wavelength Space Observatory ASTROSAT' LINK
It was carrying seven satellites including the observatory, so there's now more up there to see!

[Stanley]

My UFO was definitely a street lamp, it's still there but I agree that there is a coincidence there.... ( Damon Runyan drew a distinction between 'happenstance' and coincidence.... God knows where these thoughts come from!)
How quick and easy getting my flu jab was yesterday. They gave the usual warning about side effects and I said I didn't do them but if I tell the truth I feel a bit achy this morning and have sneezed twice!
The cruel irony of the fact that on the day when the US criticise Russia for its choice of targets in Syria they appear to have managed to bomb an MSF hospital....

[PanBiker]

Realisation that I forgot to pay the vehicle tax on the car which expired at the end of September This recognition did not come directly to me but to Sally at 01.45 this morning, "Are you awake? did you tax the car?" Doh!

[Marilyn]

Wow. That flower display is pretty cool.

[Tripps]

Realisation that I forgot to pay the vehicle tax on the car which expired at the end of September This recognition did not come directly to me but to Sally at 01.45 this morning, "Are you awake? did you tax the car?" Doh!

I did my last vehicle tax online. With some misgivings, since my record in such things is not good. If there's a problem - I usually find it. Pleased to say it was very easy.

Government attempts to use IT get a bad press. I think they've done well here. There's even a printout of the event.

[PanBiker]

I always do mine online as well, the reminder came a month ago so I checked the MOT which was due mid August. I got that done with a short service as the car ECU was asking for an oil change. Came home with the new MOT, filed it in the car folder, cracked on with the kitchen and completely forgot to do the tax. Good job Sally has a memory!

[Stanley]

It's pretty good isn't it Maz. Done in half 3litre plastic pop bottles cut open on one side and individually strung on the support wires. Hell of a job to build and an even bigger job to move. All done by the Town Centre volunteers.... David Whipp's private army.
What grabbed my attention this morning was the stitching in my braces failing.... I shall have to get the needle and thread out later this morning!

[LizG]

Sad day in our house yesterday. The pony we bought for our daughter 30 years ago, died of old age at Steph's farm. She's buried under their big gum tree next to the stable block. Not many ponies make it to 35+. She had a good life but sad none the less.

[Stanley]

Always sad when a friend dies Liz. I once had a hand in trying to save a pet pony that had grass sickness, lovely young animal but we failed, it had to be shot. Not an experience I'd like to have again.

[Wendyf]

Sad news Liz. Dennis is 32 but he has only been part of my life for 18 years. I find it hard to imagine a day when he isn't there. Lovely that your daughter can bury her pony at home. I dread the thought of the knackers lorry!

[Stanley]

Long may Dennis reign!
I know you hate me doing this but have you noticed that all the sofa companies are promising 'delivery before Christmas? And they have mince pies on offer in the Co-op.... No escaping it!

[Cathy]

We've had Christmas decorations available to purchase in our larger department stores for about a month now and a friend of mine has been buying mince pies (by the dozen) for the last 3 weeks and having them for her lunch and late supper.

[Stanley]

The thing that struck me Cathy was that they seem to have leap-frogged Halloween this year!
What has grabbed me is that after a quarter of an hour with Pluggy the FM3 is back on top form. All my graphics problems have gone away and performance is even better than it was when the expensive Asus video card was running Nvidea. I could have done it myself but far more comfortable having Plugs in.... I cleaned all the heat sinks out as well with my old badger bristle shaving brush, the finest tool for the job. Amazing how much muck was in them.....

[Cathy]

Far out... This evening I sat down to have my evening meal, As I was about to take my first mouthful I looked up to see a Fireman in full uniform running towards me up my front garden path. He went to my side wall and before I could think what to do, he was running back and jumped into the fully manned fire engine and was driving out of the street. A few minutes later I heard the sound of a large engine again and then 2 Firemen in full uniform were coming up my front path. I went out to my side wall and spoke to them. They said they were just making sure they knew where to fully switch off the electricity to the set of units that I live in 'just in case' (!!). Behind my bedroom wall are the electricity meters for about 18 units! Nice to know that they are organised, but oh my it was very concerning at the time and it all happened so quickly.
Peace and routine now reigns.

[Wendyf]

That sounds very unnerving Cathy! Hope it didn't put you off your meal.

[Cathy]

It took me a while to calm down and think (hope) it was just a routine thing that they have to do. I finished my evening meal but I don't really remember eating it... doh.
It's back to 'Cathy time'.

[Marilyn]

A bit of excitement for the day, Cazza.
Thank heavens it wasn't policemen in bullet proof vests!

[Stanley]

Makes you wonder why they had to run to the meters.... At least you know they are on the ball!
The new mutton stew is superb....
How warm it was in the rain...

[Tizer]

Next time Cath they'll be practising rescuing people from burning buildings, they'll smash your door down, throw you over a shoulder and carry you off!

[Marilyn]

I saw a different side to an everyday situation today.
We needed more paper for our printer and hubby was deciding between two popular brands. Another couple were beside us, wondering if a third brand ( el cheapo ) would do just as well. I was slightly disconnected from the decision making process because hubby was choosing...and when I need printer paper I just pop into his study and pilfer whatever I need!
The decision seemed to be taking more time than was necessary and they all seemed to be discussing price versus brand.
I very nearly said " For goodness sake...whatever paper you buy and whatever you print on it is bound to outlive all of us" (which is true) , but I wondered why I suddenly thought that.
funny the things that cross your mind sometimes!

[Stanley]

You're right Maz, paper does outlive us but the same can't be said for the medium used to write the message. When I was researching the method for the LTP one of the things that concerned me was the permanence of photo-copies in archival storage so I talked to a nice man at Xerox. He was very honest and told me that they didn't know apart from the fact that the temperature of the element melting the toner on to the paper was crucial. Some of the chemical methods of copying fade very quickly and the ones on heat sensitive paper are even worse.
I can't find anything on the web but a story on World Service this morning about parents accused of abuse had their child taken away and forcibly adopted. Subsequent case showed they were good parents and the 'abuse' was fracture caused by brittle bones. The case was abandoned but the parents have lost their baby.....