What’s on your mind?

[Apple fanboy]

Agreed.

Just back from the city, where I bought oranges, and fresh cream, and also paid a visit to the library, where two books awaited me; after tomorrow, apart from a few, fleeting hours on Monday (which will be a horror, as the city will be insanely busy), and on 31st December, they will be shut, more or less, until the New Year.

I also paid a visit to the French bakery, - a sourdough loaf was purchased - spotted the sushi stall (owned and run by Japanese) as I strolled through the frozen and wet market and treated myself to a few sushi rolls - and managed - much to my surprise - to be squeezed in for a neat haircut.

Earlier this morning, beer - which had been purchased yesterday - was delivered; now, a wash is on, and it is high time to prepare some coffee.

A few chores here too. Recycling bin is out as they are coming early this week.
Dishwasher is on.
Not going anywhere until Monday when I sadly have to go into the office.
Then I’ll be working from home until the NY.
No other plans to head anywhere at all. Best avoid the roads for the next week. Glad we have nowhere to go.

Might manage a walk if the weather brightens up at all this weekend at all. But currently it’s just starting to rain (again).

 

[Apple fanboy]

Good supplies to head home with. The shops will be chaos here tomorrow so I will get in and out early.

That’s how we do it all the time. There when they open and heading home 15 minutes later. That’s just for the stuff we can’t get delivered. Not all that much these days we can’t get delivered. Just fresh vegetables which Mrs AFB prefers to choose herself.

 

[Expos of 1969]

That’s how we do it all the time. There when they open and heading home 15 minutes later. That’s just for the stuff we can’t get delivered. Not all that much these days we can’t get delivered. Just fresh vegetables which Mrs AFB prefers to choose herself.

We get nothing delivered but a large shopping centre is only a 15 minute walk away. I carry everything which can be somewhat heavy at times but it is a good workout. Only downside and risk now is the icy sidewalks and crossings as a result of the fluctuating temperatures and snow and rain.

 

[AVBeatMan]

A few chores here too. Recycling bin is out as they are coming early this week.
Dishwasher is on.
Not going anywhere until Monday when I sadly have to go into the office.
Then I’ll be working from home until the NY.
No other plans to head anywhere at all. Best avoid the roads for the next week. Glad we have nowhere to go.

Might manage a walk if the weather brightens up at all this weekend at all. But currently it’s just starting to rain (again).

I'm working at the weekend then off from Monday until the 30th. At least I'm WFH.

 

[Apple fanboy]

We get nothing delivered but a large shopping centre is only a 15 minute walk away. I carry everything which can be somewhat heavy at times but it is a good workout. Only downside and risk now is the icy sidewalks and crossings as a result of the fluctuating temperatures and snow and rain.

We live in the countryside. But the downside for Mrs AFB with the shops is the people. That’s why she gets there when it opens.
No ice here currently thankfully. Just cold and wet.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I'm working at the weekend then off from Monday until the 30th. At least I'm WFH.

Just off the bank holidays. 25th, 26th and 1st. Enjoy your break.

 

[VisceralRealist]

did you go into Yosemite?

Yes. My friend and I stayed at an Airbnb in Oakhurst, but drove into Yosemite every day we were there. It was nice being there in the off-season.

 

[rm5]

Animated text? Grotesque.

Agreed! Just make it easy to type and easy to read, that's all I want.

 

[rm5]

Amen, I use emoji sometimes but like plain text.

I very rarely ever use emojis. My issue with them is that, especially if I'm reading a message with an emoji, that I don't know what sort of facial expression it's trying to construe.

Though I'd argue what's worse is when people post or send GIFs. I'm completely at a loss whenever that happens.

But I'm also just a pretty plain person in real life, and my avoidance of emojis/GIFs in texts or online reflects that.

 

[The Clark]

Agreed! Just make it easy to type and easy to read, that's all I want.

I'm not using an iPhone ATM.. what have they done exactly?

 

[BotchQue]

Okay, managed to do it! Took a lot of practice all day. Now time for 13 against 12 (where they slowly drift apart)!

I'll be honest, I can't think of a musical use for something like this. I am a huge fan of King Crimson, who often pit half the band in 17/8, against the other in 15/8, but the tempo is identical (and listenable).
Pitting 13 against 12 is easily done in a sequencer, but can/does any human ear enjoy listening to it?
The only pop example of this I can think of was "Murder by Numbers" by the Police (and it was only 3 against 4, and only for the verses).

 

[rm5]

I'm not using an iPhone ATM.. what have they done exactly?

They made it so that if you type certain words in iMessage - wow, congratulations, happy birthday, etc., it will trigger visual effects, either with the text itself or with other animations that fill the screen.

 

[Macky-Mac]

They made it so that if you type certain words in iMessage - wow, congratulations, happy birthday, etc., it will trigger visual effects, either with the text itself or with other animations that fill the screen.

That's not new, it's been around for some time. As you said, there a few words that do trigger some visual effect, but not very many.....however, you do have the option to select and trigger those effects for any message if you want to

You probably shouldn't tell your friends that the effects annoy you or everybody you know will start using them with messages they send you

 

[The Clark]

They made it so that if you type certain words in iMessage - wow, congratulations, happy birthday, etc., it will trigger visual effects, either with the text itself or with other animations that fill the screen.

Ah yes I recall them doing that when I was on iOS 18 with my 14PM. Annoying indeed.

 

[The Clark]

I just purchased a bunch of new clothes from Ralph Lauren. Over the past few months I began working out and losing weight, and this mini shopping spree has been my reward for dropping over 15 pounds. I bought a few new shirts, some nice hats, and a pair of shoes all from RL and they fit so well. Not to mention the huge jump in quality compared to my Lulu/Old Navy clothes.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I just purchased a bunch of new clothes from Ralph Lauren. Over the past few months I began working out and losing weight, and this mini shopping spree has been my reward for dropping over 15 pounds. I bought a few new shirts, some nice hats, and a pair of shoes all from RL and they fit so well. Not to mention the huge jump in quality compared to my Lulu/Old Navy clothes.

Congratulations on the wright loss. When I started to lose weight, I would put my fat clothes into storage (as I’d yo-yo’d a bit in the past. But after a few years of losing some more and staying at my correct weight I was able to donate them.

Now I only fluctuate by a few pounds, but not enough to go up a size in clothes. Buying medium t shirts rather than xxl feels much better!

Exercise was the key for me. Never really ate that badly. But running everyday works to keep it off for me. Especially as my job is just sat in front of a couple of computer screens all day.

 

[The Clark]

Congratulations on the wright loss. When I started to lose weight, I would put my fat clothes into storage (as I’d yo-yo’d a bit in the past. But after a few years of losing some more and staying at my correct weight I was able to donate them.

Now I only fluctuate by a few pounds, but not enough to go up a size in clothes. Buying medium t shirts rather than xxl feels much better!

Exercise was the key for me. Never really ate that badly. But running everyday works to keep it off for me. Especially as my job is just sat in front of a couple of computer screens all day.

Congratulations on going from XXL to medium!! That’s an incredible achievement! A small fluctuation in weight is totally normal, and the fact that you’ve kept the weight off is amazing since that’s the toughest part (for me at least).

I used to be in decent shape before I started working full-time in IT. Over time, I fell into bad habits like eating poorly and giving up my physical hobbies (swimming and gym). The turning point for me came a few months ago when I stepped on the scale and saw a number I never thought I’d reach. I felt embarrassed and knew I had to make a change.

Since then, I’ve cut back on eating out, committed to going to the gym almost every day (with about two rest days a week), and started taking nightly walks whenever the weather allows. I don’t know about you, but life feels so much better now that I’m actively losing weight. I have more energy, I’m in better moods, and my clothes not only fit, they actually look great. My face is more lean which matters a lot to me, and even at work, I find myself handling stress more effectively. I’m not entirely sure why, but being more active has definitely brought me a sense of mental clarity.

Keep up the great work with your weight!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Congratulations on going from XXL to medium!! That’s an incredible achievement! A small fluctuation in weight is totally normal, and the fact that you’ve kept the weight off is amazing since that’s the toughest part (for me at least).

I used to be in decent shape before I started working full-time in IT. Over time, I fell into bad habits like eating poorly and giving up my physical hobbies (swimming and gym). The turning point for me came a few months ago when I stepped on the scale and saw a number I never thought I’d reach. I felt embarrassed and knew I had to make a change.

Since then, I’ve cut back on eating out, committed to going to the gym almost every day (with about two rest days a week), and started taking nightly walks whenever the weather allows. I don’t know about you, but life feels so much better now that I’m actively losing weight. I have more energy, I’m in better moods, and my clothes not only fit, they actually look great. My face is more lean which matters a lot to me, and even at work, I find myself handling stress more effectively. I’m not entirely sure why, but being more active has definitely brought me a sense of mental clarity.

Keep up the great work with your weight!

So for me I was always fat. A fat kid, a fat teenager. I’d lose a bit now and then but generally was always large.
But about 10 years ago now I guess I decided I needed to do something about it. Started to exercise. I don’t go to a gym but have a couple of bits of kit at home. I certainly look and feel a lot healthier.
I tend to walk everyday as we live in the beautiful countryside. But even when I have to go into the office I get a couple of miles in at lunchtime.
My AW has helped a lot with keeping track of the exercise I do. I just wish I’d done it when I was younger.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I just purchased a bunch of new clothes from Ralph Lauren. Over the past few months I began working out and losing weight, and this mini shopping spree has been my reward for dropping over 15 pounds. I bought a few new shirts, some nice hats, and a pair of shoes all from RL and they fit so well. Not to mention the huge jump in quality compared to my Lulu/Old Navy clothes.

Good for you. The Clark, now known as the Slim Fashionista in the office

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just back from the farmers' market, - a quick visit, to pick up meat that I had ordered (organic, free range chicken thighs, skin and bone attached, some shin of beef on the bone, a few fillet steaks, and classic bacon rashers and sausages) - from the organic meat stall, - on what is a truly dismal, dreary, cold, wet, windy, miserable day.

Also bought some olives, anchovies, Gorgonzola cheese (one can never have too much Gorgonzola) and Iberico ham and salami.

Vegetables were delivered this morning.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Today is the day of the winter solstice; the fleeting glimpses of the sun (peeking out behind storm tossed clouds) showed a pale orb hanging suspiciously low in the sky.

In any case, I tell myself that from today, the days will get longer (although that will not become noticeable until we are well into January), brighter, (although that only becomes obvious in March), and - or so we hope - warmer......

I thrill to the arrival of spring.

And today is also the anniversary of the passing of my mum, who departed from this life just before midnight on the night of 21st December, all of six years ago.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Today is the day of the winter solstice; the fleeting glimpses of the sun (peeking out behind storm tossed clouds) showed a pale orb hanging suspiciously low in the sky.

In nay case, I tell myself that from today, the days will get longer (although that will not become noticeable until we are well into January), brighter, (although that only becomes obvious in March), and - or so we hope - warmer......

I thrill to the arrival of spring.

And today is also the anniversary of the passing of my mum, who departed from this life just before midnight on the night of 21st December, all of six years ago.

Has it really been six years? Where has that gone?
Anyway I hope you have some fond memories of her to share with your brothers today.

Here no sign of this alleged yellow orb you speak of. Grey and drizzle earlier. Full on rain now. Not what my weather app was telling me!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Has it really been six years? Where has that gone?
Anyway I hope you have some fond memories of her to share with your brothers today.

Here no sign of this alleged yellow orb you speak of. Grey and drizzle earlier. Full on rain now. Not what my weather app was telling me!

Grey drizzle first, spotty (and nasty) showers and full on rain here, too.

The vendors in the farmers' market were attired in the sort of timeless garb that would not have been out of place in a Flemish Renaissance painting by Pieter Brueghel (either of them).

Anyway, that orb (now disappeared) was sort of obscured behind threatening clouds, and never broke its cloud cover - it was almost lunar in that respect. However, it was the depressing angle of elevation (or descent) that caught my eye, a day where it never seems to be fully daylight.

Yes, incredible - sometimes, I find it hard to believe that it is all of six years since she left us.

But yes: There are fond and warm memories - many of them.

My friends from Bristol (she is a retired doctor, and had been very helpful to - and supportive of - me that last week of my mother's life, and he is a retired judge) Skyped last night for the best part of two hours; they remembered her, and we had a good chat - family, politics, history, books, literature - they are voracious readers - travel, art, and so on.

Other Brother also wrote yesterday, sending me a link to some of the songs sung during the Paul McCartney (we are both fans of the Beatles) concert - both he and Ringo had taken the stage - in London the night before last, so that was also most enjoyable.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Funnily enough it has brightened up in the last 10 minutes or so. But some pretty big dark clouds around and about. The main issue here is all the puddles. When you have no pavement, a walk can get you filthy as some drivers are very inconsiderate.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Funnily enough it has brightened up in the last 10 minutes or so. But some pretty big dark clouds around and about. The main issue here is all the puddles. When you have no pavement, a walk can get you filthy as some drivers are very inconsiderate.

When I read your post, I noted that it had brightened here, too.

However, between reading your post, checking a coffee reference, and responding, it has since clouded over, (again), with charcoal coloured, dark, gloomy clouds, laden with icy moisture, and ominous in their threatening persistence.