What’s on your mind?

[mollyc]

Most US states issue new driver's licenses at age 21 due to the fact that people are then legal for drinking (and I guess cigarettes now). In Virginia, underage licenses are sideways (aka portrait orientation) and above age licenses are "regular" or landscape.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Midge bite? Mosquito bite? Horsefly bite? Dog bite? Snake bite? Crocodile bite? Shark bite?
Having had all of the above (except the shark bite (well, a baby epaulette shark did try to gum me to death once...)),
inquiring minds need to know.

@Scepticalscribe is correct. Some flying creature I didn’t see. Definitely not a horsefly though. Some type of
mosquito is my guess. I was close to some water and walking through long grasses.

Australia. Where even the baby wildlife tries to kill you!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Most US states issue new driver's licenses at age 21 due to the fact that people are then legal for drinking (and I guess cigarettes now). In Virginia, underage licenses are sideways (aka portrait orientation) and above age licenses are "regular" or landscape.

Over here it’s 17 for driving. 18 for drinking. Not sure about smoking. Used to be 16, but I think they changed it to 18 here.
You can get a moped (motorbike with 50cc engine or less) at 16. But these days they just whizz around on those lethal electric scooter things. They should be banned from the roads and the pavements.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Over here it’s 17 for driving. 18 for drinking. Not sure about smoking. Used to be 16, but I think they changed it to 18 here.
You can get a moped (motorbike with 50cc engine or less) at 16. But these days they just whizz around on those lethal electric scooter things. They should be banned from the roads and the pavements.

If memory serves, once she reached 80 (and she was still more or less okay, although she was beginning to decline), my mother had to renew her driving licence every three years (along with taking an eye test and submitting a doctor's cert/note each time) rather than every ten.

I also recall how passionate the doctor was in attempting to retain the independence (and, self-respect) of many of her elderly patients, pointing out that many simply gave up mentally, or psychologically, feeling - keenly - the removal of their independence - once the ability to motor or drive even locally - to the shops, or, for appointments, for example - had been removed from them.

Actually, I remember that the GP quoted one of her patients remarking that "you might as well shoot me now" as remove her ability to drive.

In any case, my mother took the decision herself to stop driving, as she no longer felt comfortable - or safe - while driving, even locally, - she knew that she was deteriorating by then - around 18 months after that particular appointment, but a year or so before she was formally diagnosed; likewise, with my father. When he knew he was declining - and his eyesight was deteriorating - he (although completely mentally sharp) simply stopped driving, and relied on either public transport, or my mother to drive him, or, locally, on foot, to get around.

 

[Apple fanboy]

If memory serves, once she reached 80 (and she was still more or less okay, although she was beginning to decline), my mother had to renew her driving licence every three years (along with taking an eye test and submitting a doctor's cert/note each time) rather than every ten.

I also recall how passionate the doctor was in attempting to retain the independence of her elderly patients, pointing out that many simply gave up mentally, or psychologically, feeling - keenly - the removal of their independence - once the ability to motor or drive even locally - to the shops, for appointments, for example - had been removed from them. Actually, I remember that the GP quoted one of her patients remarking that "you might as well shoot me now" as remove her ability to drive.

In any case, my mother took the decision herself to stop driving, as she no longer felt comfortable - or safe - while driving, even locally, - she knew that she was deteriorating by then - around 18 months after that particular appointment, but a year or so before she was formally diagnosed; likewise, with my father. When he knew he was declining - and his eyesight was deteriorating - he (although completely mentally sharp) simply stopped driving, and relied on either public transport, or my mother to drive him, or, locally, on foot, to get around.

I can’t imagine giving up my car. I’ve had my own since before I could legally drive. My neighbour should really consider giving up his keys though. He’s had two accidents in the last year. He said the pedals in his car were confusing. I mean it’s an automatic so there is only two. Stop or go.

 

[avro707]

Definitely not a horsefly though

Now I know what those things are! A while back I was out riding on a bicycle and the area had some of those damn things - the bites were very painful.

Unfortunately the road surface was so poor I had to go slowly - otherwise I would have pushed harder and left that thing behind. Ouch they hurt.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Now I know what those things are! A while back I was out riding on a bicycle and the area had some of those damn things - the bites were very painful.

Unfortunately the road surface was so poor I had to go slowly - otherwise I would have pushed harder and left that thing behind. Ouch they hurt.

I’ve had those bite me in the past. They are evil.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I really appreciate your kind words - they mean a lot to me. Macrumors was nice and let me re-activate. I needed a bit of time away from everything (almost 2 years!) to set my life back on track. Still alive and very thankful.

Hope y'all are doing well. Nice to see familiar faces (accounts). Looking forward to enjoying your posts and pictures like before!

Welcome back, totally understand the need to disappear and re-focus in life. Cool to see you back here again, look after yourself!

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

I’ve had those bite me in the past. They are evil.

The local ones here are sneaky. They seem to apply some anaesthetic (the way vampire bats do) so you don't feel them. It's only after I become aware of the rasping that I realise what is munching on me. By then it's too late, and I am going to have an itching welt for the next several days. Anti-histamine cream and hot water help, a little.

 

[decafjava]

Over here it’s 17 for driving. 18 for drinking. Not sure about smoking. Used to be 16, but I think they changed it to 18 here.
You can get a moped (motorbike with 50cc engine or less) at 16. But these days they just whizz around on those lethal electric scooter things. They should be banned from the roads and the pavements.

The same blasted problem here in Switzerland, they weave through pedestrians on sidewalks sometimes with very little distance. Not only teens but adults and even business people in suits. One fellow got himself into an accident with a bus last week in Geneva and was taken to hospital in critical condition. Don't get me started on the food delivery idiots who ride electric bikes, mopeds, scooters with almost zero regard for traffic lights or stop signs.

 

[Apple fanboy]

The same blasted problem here in Switzerland, they weave through pedestrians on sidewalks sometimes with very little distance. Not only teens but adults and even business people in suits. One fellow got himself into an accident with a bus last week in Geneva and was taken to hospital in critical condition. Don't get me started on the food delivery idiots who ride electric bikes, mopeds, scooters with almost zero regard for traffic lights or stop signs.

Absolutely! I rarely go into the City, but loathe those almost as much as the rental electric bikes it’s okay to just leave anywhere when they (presumably) run out of juice.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Over here it’s 17 for driving. 18 for drinking. Not sure about smoking. Used to be 16, but I think they changed it to 18 here.
You can get a moped (motorbike with 50cc engine or less) at 16. But these days they just whizz around on those lethal electric scooter things. They should be banned from the roads and the pavements.

The same blasted problem here in Switzerland, they weave through pedestrians on sidewalks sometimes with very little distance. Not only teens but adults and even business people in suits. One fellow got himself into an accident with a bus last week in Geneva and was taken to hospital in critical condition. Don't get me started on the food delivery idiots who ride electric bikes, mopeds, scooters with almost zero regard for traffic lights or stop signs.

Absolutely! I rarely go into the City, but loathe those almost as much as the rental electric bikes it’s okay to just leave anywhere when they (presumably) run out of juice.

Cycling, even though it is healthy (and possibly better for the environment, even when riding one of those those electrically powered vehicles) does not confer moral superiority on anyone, still less give one the right to plough through (or over) pedestrians, whether on footpaths (pavements) or urban roads.

Moreover, at no age should one have to - or, be expected to - master acrobatic, and athletic, balletic leaps in order to avoid being run over by one of those things.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Lashing rain today; I phoned the library to ask them to extend the reservation I have on a book that is awaiting me, as it is too wet to venture out today.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Lashing rain today; I phoned the library to ask them to extend the reservation I have on a book that is awaiting me, as it is too wet to venture out today.

Rain? Lucky you. Our garden (especially the lawn) is turning mire yellow by the day.

Spoke with my Dad earlier. Back from his three week cruise in the Mediterranean.
He did have to spend a couple of nights at a hotel though as his wife was ill and admitted to hospital. She made a full recovery (unfortunately!).

 

[Clix Pix]

Yep, looking more and more as though this is going to be an all-day rain here in the DC area so I am now dropping the idea of going to the grocery store today......

I'm not complaining about the rain, as it is so much cooler here today than it has been, which is greatly appreciated!!!

Wow, that must've been a bit disturbing for your Dad to have his wife fall ill on the cruise and be in the hospital! Yeah, too bad that she made a full recovery..... Oh, well..... I'll bet the cruise was nice, though, aside from the illness part.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Rain? Lucky you. Our garden (especially the lawn) is turning mire yellow by the day.

Tomorrow - according to the forecast - should be a lot better, and already, it has stopped raining (the jungle that is the garden loved it).

Spoke with my Dad earlier. Back from his three week cruise in the Mediterranean.

Cruises can be terrific fun, - depending on the cruise, the actual voyage, the company in which you travel - and so on.

He did have to spend a couple of nights at a hotel though as his wife was ill and admitted to hospital. She made a full recovery (unfortunately!).

Glad - for your dad's sake - that she did, and I hope that - other than his wife's illness - that he enjoyed himself.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Tomorrow - according to the forecast - should be a lot better, and already, it has stopped raining (the jungle that is the garden loved it).

Cruises can be terrific fun, - depending on the cruise, the actual voyage, the company in which you travel - and so on.


Glad - for your dad's sake - that she did, and I hope that - other than his wife's illness - that he enjoyed himself.

Not sure a cruise would ever work for me. Too many people etc.

Pretty sure my Dad would not have been too bothered to have left his wife there.

 

[KaliYoni]

Cycling [...] does not confer moral superiority on anyone

LOL! I have to bitterly laugh at that because you just mentioned a strong belief in my city that is held by both individuals and City Hall.

The smugness and certainty even extends to jury decisions. A cyclist who struck and killed a pedestrian in a crosswalk/zebra crossing while blowing through an intersection against the traffic light—mainly because a lot of bike owners have removed the brakes from their bikes to "save weight" and to "stop thieves" and elected officials have instructed the police to not cite bike riders for traffic light and stop sign violations—was acquitted due to the belief that the killer made enough effort to avoid the collision by putting his bike into a slide ("I laid it down, man!") and sympathy for the damage to the bike ("It totally messed up my derailleur and scratched my frame, bro."). There may have even been a Go Fund Me page set up by local bicycle rights activists to raise money to repair the bike.

Stuff like this is why I often feel pessimistic and cynical about where I live...
:-(

 

[decafjava]

LOL! I have to bitterly laugh at that because you just mentioned a strong belief in my city that is held by both individuals and City Hall.

The smugness and certainty even extends to jury decisions. A cyclist who struck and killed a pedestrian in a crosswalk/zebra crossing while blowing through an intersection against the traffic light—mainly because a lot of bike owners have removed the brakes from their bikes to "save weight" and to "stop thieves" and elected officials have instructed the police to not cite bike riders for traffic light and stop sign violations—was acquitted due to the belief that the killer made enough effort to avoid the collision by putting his bike into a slide ("I laid it down, man!") and sympathy for the damage to the bike ("It totally messed up my derailleur and scratched my frame, bro."). There may have even been a Go Fund Me page set up by local bicycle rights activists to raise money to repair the bike.

Stuff like this is why I often feel pessimistic and cynical about where I live...
:-(

Well I'm a cyclist who is exasperated by other cyclists, drivers, and sometimes even pedestrians who cross out between parked cars, etc. I try to keep aware when riding (whether my manual or electric) or when I am walking.

We need traffic cops with ODM gear like in the anime "Attack on Titan".

 

[mollyc]

So sad for UVA.

Wahoowa.

 

[Clix Pix]

Agreed. This is a sad day for the Commonwealth of Virginia and UVA, its beloved, historic, world-renown university.

I am not just sad, I am angry and frustrated......as I know many others are as well.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Well I'm a cyclist who is exasperated by other cyclists, drivers, and sometimes even pedestrians who cross out between parked cars, etc. I try to keep aware when riding (whether my manual or electric) or when I am walking.

We need traffic cops with ODM gear like in the anime "Attack on Titan"t
View attachment 2523819

I too am a cyclist who has been hit both by other cyclists and cars and pedestrians LOL ... quite a few times over past 30 years. Enough anyhow to not ride on shared roads or directly in traffic anymore. I always stick to bike trails or my slow and predictable surrounding neighborhoods at this point. At the TOTC, I commuted to work via bike and it wasnt great then but still mostly reasonably safe IMO. Nowadays, folks drive way too fast and are more distracted than ever with their phones and vehicles with built in, non-tactile touchscreen everything. It's a death wish to ride in traffic anymore. At least I wouldnt do it and don't.

Like everything that is multi use (roads, trails etc), it takes common sense, being aware of your surroundings and working together. One can simply state the "bikes and cars yield to pedestrians" rule but that alone does not stop accidents. If it did, we wouldnt have any lol. The reality is that coexisting together is not that clear cut - there are many, changing variables to process which influences what to do. It takes a lot of cooperation, communication, awareness and yes understanding of the rules to make sure accidents are at a minimum & minor.

 

[decafjava]

So sad for UVA.

Wahoowa.

OMG! I just looked that up, infuriating!

 

[Apple fanboy]

This heat is on my mind. A tower fan doesn’t really cut it. Supposed to be hotter tomorrow. I’m in the office. I’m going to wear shorts (which we are not supposed to). Well you know what? If they do t like it fix the bloody AC!

 

[AVBeatMan]

This heat is on my mind. A tower fan doesn’t really cut it. Supposed to be hotter tomorrow. I’m in the office. I’m going to wear shorts (which we are not supposed to). Well you know what? If they do t like it fix the bloody AC!

I've felt unwell all day. Don't like the heat at all. Got a fan on me all day. Thankfully I'm not in the office until Thursday. Hopefully you'll be OK if you have a fan.