Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

We used to ship cars back from Cyprus on the military planes that had spare capacity, my micro came back that way.

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https://i.pinimg.com/236x/77/14/88/7...74a1bcd8a5.jpg

Eeeww....

:rofl::rofl:

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Security stuff companies use for online accounts is making using such accounts a total pain in the rear.

Why do companies assume everyone has a cell phone and can receive a verification text?

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I've experienced a couple wanting mobile/cell number but it's not been an issue to ignore it.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

13 years ago, the 10th, I did my last day at work finishing around 4.00 pm.

13 years ago on the morning of the 12th I got the Bristol-Gatwick coach for my flight to Montreal.

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I heard sirens then smelled smoke, thought our building was on fire. Thankfully our building wasn't, but an old apartment block across the street is on fire.

I hope everyone got out safely.

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I know you've mentioned your early retirement before, and it kinda fascinates me. What made you want to retire so young, and do you have any regrets career-wise? Do you think you got the balance about right between needing to earn and having the days to yourself? Have you ever thought about a bit of part-time work for extra spends, or indeed company?

Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but I am intrigued. The thought of retirement actually scares me a bit.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I've decided not to retire. At least not until I'm old. I can't imagine myself going to knitting clubs and bridge clubs... I might just take some extra holidays!

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How long have you got? :lol:
There was much to like about my old job (DWP) - depending on what role I had at any particular time (as with anyone's job I suppose) but we were becoming increasingly undervalued.

I saw an article about property in Spain and realised how affordable some of it was compared to the equity in my house. A rough calculation suggested that a reduced pension for going early plus left over money from selling in Bristol and buying in Spain might present an alternative. Lower income but lower expenses and a rental potential if my mother got involved. Could have each had our own place but rented one out for part of the year.

I even had in mind doing Spanish at evening classes in preparation. :nod:

So I got into the frame of mind that there was an escape route before it became really bad and it meant living in Spain.
(another job was really out of the question for my lack of 'paper' qualifications and age - 40s by then :lol:)

Longer story shortened, stroke of luck, I met a Canadian woman a relationship developed and the escape route changed to Canada with everything else much the same - even the rental income.
None at all. I hated what I was expected to do at work over the last couple of years and there was a lot more distasteful stuff to come.

The stuff I hear about now...I would never have been able to live with myself.

Yes. Although the rental suffered problematic tenants causingunwanted stresses and interruptions at home.
The only way it really went wrong was my wife's health worsening to the point it cleared out remaining capital. Then she died.

But for that, we had a manageable income and assets that would have paid for enough home comforts and travel. But not cruises :lol:

Yes, some feel like that. I guess it depends on what your work is like. I had a wonderful job from 95-99, still for DWP but working in an advice centre with other agencies. It was my perfect job and I wouldn't have wanted it to end.

I have known one or two people retire and die soon after and my dad died at 52. The idea of working then dying doesn't appeal. I could drop dead tomorrow and if I had advance notice of it :lol: I would think "well at least I had 13 years of not having to work" and that would likely be more than if I'd worked to 65. :nod:

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Early retirement...or not? Sounds like a good idea for a new thread.

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Go for it!

Thanks Bristol for your reply, I know it's personal and everyone has different ideas of what they need or want. So sorry also to hear about your wife, I remember when I was on here before while I was in Canada she was very ill. I suppose that gives you an added sense of making the most of every day.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I think it was included a bit on a previous thread...something about planning for retirement?

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My dad retired about a year ago, he is 59 and he is already getting bored and thinking about finding a part-time job somewhere to keep busy. He only retired really as he spent 38 years at the same employer and was tired of all the BS that was happening.

I for one have no plans to retire, will need to work as long as my health and body will permit, then will need to rely on whatever CPP and the government provides.

Ideally I would love to retire and do some travelling, but doubt CPP pays enough to permit such a retirement.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

My husband retired when he was 55. He worked 12/15+ hours a day for as long as I can remember. I know or of heard of lots of people who retire at 65...then either die or are too ill to enjoy their retirement.

We planned to spend most of the winters traveling to warmer climes in winter. Sadly with one thing and another we didn't last winter. :(

Hubby is glad he retired...but wishes we were in England.

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Working 53 hours next week, 45 this week. We are super short staffed, so many quit without giving notice these days and we are having trouble in general recruiting people.

On some days we have as much as 50% of the shifts open due to nobody to work them.

The new reality of Vancouver labor market I suppose.

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So part time? ;)

Good for you though. :thumbup:

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This. Very much this. All of the above.

Without lentils there'd be no fabulous curry dishes (no dal makhani, no tadka dal...), nor some of my favourite winter soups. A staple in our meat-loving household.

I recently rediscovered pearl barley, which my granny used to use in stews and casseroles (I suppose to make the meat go further; it thickens and fills out the stewing juices). In a good rich beef casserole it works wonders.

And I recall having deep fried finely shredded curly kale, sprinkled with ground ginger and coriander, masquerading as "crispy seaweed" in a takeout in Aberdeen circa 1993. It's a bit of a fiddle to do at home, but it's a damn sight better than any of the disgusting green gloopy concoctions people think is what you should do with kale.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I think I am classified at full-time, but generally try to limit my schedule to 30 hours a week, but right now we are short, so filling in gaps to help out.

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May I politely ask why?

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My dad retired on his 65th birthday after a 49 year career in the RAF and then offshore in the North Sea. After three entire months of retirement he was bored shitless and took a new job at a well-known UK DIY store. 12 years later he still works 20-30 hours a week.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Between my daughter and myself we manage to keep my husband busy with DIY work. :sneaky:

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I suspect that may be why my dad wants to get out to work. ;)

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Extra day off to handle things at home.

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So yesterday I got up extremely early because I had a long list of things to do before my flight back to UK tomorrow evening. Then went to bed extremely late. Woke up a few hours later to find I couldn't move my wrist - arm and hand had gone to sleep. Problem was, it didn't recover :(

So went to emergency - I have a thing quaintly referred to as Saturday Night Palsy, except it wasn't Saturday and I wasn't drunk :ohmy:

So now I have no control or feeling from the elbow down and my arm is in a brace that I have to wear all the time - such crap timing! Flight cancelled :(

No idea when I will be able to rebook, looked it up on internet - can take 12 weeks to get fully better. of course, it's my right hand, so writing this took about 3 times the time it normally takes!! BE won't be getting long posts from me for a while.... ;)

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I retired at the age 55 exchanging my 5 day week for a 2 day consulting job at the same company. I could have kept working full time and built up both pension and savings but judged that time to do things was more important than accumulated wealth.

As it happened it was the best that could have happened. Several family requirements soaked up the time and I have to say I have never regretted it.

Retirement doesn't suit everyone and I understand that. You have to be happy and content to be in your own skin and not tied to the social aspects of the workplace.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

When I worked in the psych ward about a hundred years ago we had an old man in with that (only a few years older than I am now!). He was on a hunger strike demanding an operation to fix it, but gave up about 5 or 6 days in, which was when his arm came back, but not before breaking my nose. In lieu of an apology he said, "Sonny, by the time you're my age you'll do lots of stupid things."

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

And have you?

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Had to look that up...seems to have several names and not just day of the week.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

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Thank you - luckily it doesn't hurt yet! I suppose the silver lining in all this is I don't have to stay up really late tonight or get up early tomorrow

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Of course! That was 45 years ago (not 100) and opportunities still pop up. ;)

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My Kobo has died:(

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R.I.P.

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Coming home from work last night with the car on Marine Dr, some sort of metal thing was in the road (could not see it from the car) but it punctured the tire.

So much fun putting the spare tire on at 1am after 12 hour shift... Not...:lol:

Hopefully this time the tire can be repaired, tire is only like 3 months old.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

This just landed on my face.:eek::eek:

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Oh I had a pet one of those when I was a kid, most boring pet ever. And I was constantly losing it in the privet bushes in the front garden!! All because my Mum refused to get a dog!

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I used to have half a dozen in a sweetie jar. Left them at my uncle's after a holiday. I expect they were released into the wilds of Lincolnshire. None of them ever leapt unexpectedly onto my face though.

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Mine were so slow I can't imagine them doing anything unexpectedly, let along jumping!!

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Nice nails.

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Unfortunately mine were full of horse crap when I was 14.

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Tire cannot be fixed.

Tires have been an issue this year.ha ha. Year of the tire.