TTTNE - This Thread is finanly over. Slowest race ever nearly 3 years.

[Buckwheat]

8 hours ago, Meera of Tarth said:

Ok...I just discovered that proofreading and translating is terribly boring and this project is much longer than I expected.

Depends on what you are proofreading/translating! Generally, proofreading is more boring than translating.

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The other day I was about to go to the opera with a friend, but at the end we had to seat separated and buy the tickets last minute, and since I have not gone tere ever, I preferred to decline the invitation because I wanna sit next to someone the first time I go.

I would still go in such a situation! You could still talk about the performance later.

I am so tired. There is one group of students that is exhausting to work with, and I had 3 classes with them today.

Edited September 27, 2021 by Buckwheat

[Buckwheat]

I have promised myself that I would start eating healthier and less to lose some of this pesky corona weight I gained.

And here I am, with my 9.30 PM not-that-healty dinner.

[RhaenysBee]

On 9/27/2021 at 1:03 PM, Meera of Tarth said:

Ok...I just discovered that proofreading and translating is terribly boring and this project is much longer than I expected.

My thesis needs to start, and I haven't. I started one subject of a new Master, but I'm pending of some validations; otherwise not sure what I'll do with it.

I went to see a county basquetball match and some players were handsomish.

I bought a decorative rope with hanging little balls covered in 3-coloured blueyish threads that get illuminated. It's so cosy for the rest of the bedroom.

The other day I was about to go to the opera with a friend, but at the end we had to seat separated and buy the tickets last minute, and since I have not gone tere ever, I preferred to decline the invitation because I wanna sit next to someone the first time I go.

Good luck with the masters! 

I approve of anything home decor  

ah, I would have gone to the opera even if it meant sitting alone. I have been to the theatre alone a couple times and it was perfectly okay. It took most of my twenties, but at this point I’d much rather go and do something alone than not go because of someone else. Just my approach, each to their own. 

On 9/28/2021 at 9:31 PM, Buckwheat said:

I have promised myself that I would start eating healthier and less to lose some of this pesky corona weight I gained.

And here I am, with my 9.30 PM not-that-healty dinner.

I had a pretty healthy routine in spring, much less healthy in summer, and back to the office killed any and every healthy habit I had. I no longer eat home cooked meals and I no longer workout because after a full office day and the commute I just can’t bring myself to exercise. Even though it’d be most helpful with stress management and the physiological impacts of non-ergonomic office life. I really don’t know how people fit work, social events AND healthy habits into one life, I certainly can’t, it’s a pick two decision for me. I know that’s not the current social expectation, but that’s what it is.  sorry, I didn’t mean to turn my response into a rant, it’s certainly not directed at you… I seem to harboring a lot of unreleased stress  

[Buckwheat]

1 hour ago, RhaenysBee said:

I had a pretty healthy routine in spring, much less healthy in summer, and back to the office killed any and every healthy habit I had. I no longer eat home cooked meals and I no longer workout because after a full office day and the commute I just can’t bring myself to exercise. Even though it’d be most helpful with stress management and the physiological impacts of non-ergonomic office life. I really don’t know how people fit work, social events AND healthy habits into one life, I certainly can’t, it’s a pick two decision for me. I know that’s not the current social expectation, but that’s what it is.  sorry, I didn’t mean to turn my response into a rant, it’s certainly not directed at you… I seem to harboring a lot of unreleased stress  

Yup, similar here ... although right now I don't have much social life either, at least not during the week. I don't really have friends in the tiny new town. There are lots of students I teach everywhere I go, though.

I try to cook simple and quick things at home most of the time. How healthy they are is debatable.

How long is your commute? Do you take the tram or bus to the office?

[RhaenysBee]

1 hour ago, Buckwheat said:

Yup, similar here ... although right now I don't have much social life either, at least not during the week. I don't really have friends in the tiny new town. There are lots of students I teach everywhere I go, though.

I try to cook simple and quick things at home most of the time. How healthy they are is debatable.

How long is your commute? Do you take the tram or bus to the office?

Ah don’t you have social events with colleagues? Also, how far are you from the city? Can’t you travel there for a dinner or a movie or something?  I did have a socially busy week and office days are highly social as well. In fact I’m actually in need of introverted downtime. 

I think anything you make at home is healthier than ready made or sketchy canteen food. 

25-30 minutes, I walk 10ish minutes to a tram and travel 5 stops. But it’s still a hassle compared to home office. Dressing for the weather, juggling your keys, your bag, your umbrella, your ticket, your phone, your mask, your hand sanitizer, your work ID all in two hands, it’s either raining or you’re sweaty or both, I’m very unused to the joys of commute. 
 

[Buckwheat]

3 hours ago, RhaenysBee said:

Ah don’t you have social events with colleagues? Also, how far are you from the city? Can’t you travel there for a dinner or a movie or something?  I did have a socially busy week and office days are highly social as well. In fact I’m actually in need of introverted downtime. 

I think anything you make at home is healthier than ready made or sketchy canteen food. 

25-30 minutes, I walk 10ish minutes to a tram and travel 5 stops. But it’s still a hassle compared to home office. Dressing for the weather, juggling your keys, your bag, your umbrella, your ticket, your phone, your mask, your hand sanitizer, your work ID all in two hands, it’s either raining or you’re sweaty or both, I’m very unused to the joys of commute. 

Social events with collegaues ... yeah, like ... twice a year. IDK. We don't really meet up outside of work stuff. I am actually quite in the city, close to the centre now, because I deliberately looked for a flat close to the workplace - not having a car and all that. Don't feel like going to dinner alone. Sadly no cinema in tiny town either!

Probably. Sometimes I buy frozen and ready to make stuff too.

25-30 minutes doesn't sound so bad. And, though it looks very unfashionable, these ribbons you carry your keys on around your neck are very practical. Or maybe this is just a very teacher thing to carry.  I walk about 20 minutes now, or cycle for about 15 (switching the bike helm for the mask while entering the school and also locking up your bike while holding a bag and maybe an additional bag full of books or some such is a hassle too).

[RhaenysBee]

49 minutes ago, Buckwheat said:

Social events with collegaues ... yeah, like ... twice a year. IDK. We don't really meet up outside of work stuff. I am actually quite in the city, close to the centre now, because I deliberately looked for a flat close to the workplace - not having a car and all that. Don't feel like going to dinner alone. Sadly no cinema in tiny town either!

Probably. Sometimes I buy frozen and ready to make stuff too.

25-30 minutes doesn't sound so bad. And, though it looks very unfashionable, these ribbons you carry your keys on around your neck are very practical. Or maybe this is just a very teacher thing to carry.  I walk about 20 minutes now, or cycle for about 15 (switching the bike helm for the mask while entering the school and also locking up your bike while holding a bag and maybe an additional bag full of books or some such is a hassle too).

Wow, how I envy you. We have team drinks every fucking week. In fact, we’ll have team breakfast and team drinks next week. And all department team building the week after. I can’t even… 

oh no, I meant going back to your previous city to meet friends there. Is that feasible on an average day or not so much? 

I do have a that neck hanger thing for my work ID, but I don’t like to wear it outside of work, so I just dig for it at the entrance in my bag.
Oh that sounds heavenly. To walk/cycle to work in a small town. One day I’ll break my toxic dependence on a big city and move to the country. 

[Buckwheat]

16 hours ago, RhaenysBee said:

Wow, how I envy you. We have team drinks every fucking week. In fact, we’ll have team breakfast and team drinks next week. And all department team building the week after. I can’t even… 

I mean, I see my coworkers every day at work, but we don't do that much together in the free time.

 If you don't like it, just don't go? Or does that count towards your work time?

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oh no, I meant going back to your previous city to meet friends there. Is that feasible on an average day or not so much?

If I had my own car, yes, it would be feasible. As it is, the best I can do is ask one of my coworkers who live in the city for a ride and then take the train home, but trains suck and it takes more than an hour and a half to tiny town. Plus that would mean carrying my work laptop and everything else to all my socialising? And my friends with their own jobs and stuff probably wouldn't be free before 5 PM or later, and I would have to take the train back at like 6 or 6.30 already ... Not very practical at all, I can do it sometimes, but not all the time.

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I do have a that neck hanger thing for my work ID, but I don’t like to wear it outside of work, so I just dig for it at the entrance in my bag.
Oh that sounds heavenly. To walk/cycle to work in a small town. One day I’ll break my toxic dependence on a big city and move to the country. 

Hah! I just wish to live in a bigger city. Walking/cycling is also possible there, everything is close, public transport is at least somewhat functional, there are more people to socialise with, not everybody knows everybody. Sounds perfect to me.

[RhaenysBee]

4 hours ago, Buckwheat said:

I mean, I see my coworkers every day at work, but we don't do that much together in the free time.

 If you don't like it, just don't go? Or does that count towards your work time?

Well that’s what makes sense to me, that one sees coworkers every day and does something with the team every now and then, say quarterly. I can’t really do that. I mean technically I can, but drinks and smoke breaks are the integrating power to a corporate world, not collaboration on actual tasks. It was really down to going on smoke breaks with them and nothing else that the core team accepted me. It’s a weird world and I disagree with the principle but that’s what short term social “survival” requires. 

4 hours ago, Buckwheat said:

If I had my own car, yes, it would be feasible. As it is, the best I can do is ask one of my coworkers who live in the city for a ride and then take the train home, but trains suck and it takes more than an hour and a half to tiny town. Plus that would mean carrying my work laptop and everything else to all my socialising? And my friends with their own jobs and stuff probably wouldn't be free before 5 PM or later, and I would have to take the train back at like 6 or 6.30 already ... Not very practical at all, I can do it sometimes, but not all the time.

Yes that makes perfect sense. I’m sorry that it’s not a sustainable practice though. And yes I 100% sympathize with not being keen on carrying your work stuff to a social event.  I suppose it’s a chiefly weekend option then? The relation between the city and your small town reminds me of my city and my hometown. Kind of a hassle via public transport but not enough practical reason to invest in a car. Also, I’m a shit driver, but let’s ignore that. 

4 hours ago, Buckwheat said:

Hah! I just wish to live in a bigger city. Walking/cycling is also possible there, everything is close, public transport is at least somewhat functional, there are more people to socialise with, not everybody knows everybody. Sounds perfect to me.

 well I do like to disappear in the crowd, I can agree with that. Walking and cycling… I could and would never sign up to cycling in the city. I love walking, but my workplace is in a stupid, slightly sketchy and yucky part of town, absolutely no desire to walk there. And it’d likely take an hour. I could walk to my fresh grad job back in the day, that was a 30 minute and absolutely gorgeous walk in the innermost part of the city center. But the job was terrible.

One time Vladimir Putin visited and the entire area was closed down and handsome policemen escorted commuters to the office blocks. It was -10C and morning meetings were cancelled because we all had to walk. That was a fun day. (No irony included) 

[Buckwheat]

59 minutes ago, RhaenysBee said:

Well that’s what makes sense to me, that one sees coworkers every day and does something with the team every now and then, say quarterly. I can’t really do that. I mean technically I can, but drinks and smoke breaks are the integrating power to a corporate world, not collaboration on actual tasks. It was really down to going on smoke breaks with them and nothing else that the core team accepted me. It’s a weird world and I disagree with the principle but that’s what short term social “survival” requires.

Weird world indeed. I have no clue if my colleagues have in any way "accepted" me or not, most of them. The few I talk to most often tolerate me well enough and sometimes I can commute with them, so that is great. But there is no need to socialise with anybody one doesn't really want to. I think next week I am going to a theatre performance with two coworkers in our free time, which will be only like the second time we meet up somewhere else on purpose.

59 minutes ago, RhaenysBee said:

Yes that makes perfect sense. I’m sorry that it’s not a sustainable practice though. And yes I 100% sympathize with not being keen on carrying your work stuff to a social event.  I suppose it’s a chiefly weekend option then? The relation between the city and your small town reminds me of my city and my hometown. Kind of a hassle via public transport but not enough practical reason to invest in a car. Also, I’m a shit driver, but let’s ignore that.

Weekends are for socialising indeed. I mean, when I don't have to bring home more work over the weekend ...

I was forced to become a slightly better than shit driver with all the commuting and have lately even started toying with the idea of owning a car. I don't think it would make financial sense, but it would be practical especially for social life.

59 minutes ago, RhaenysBee said:

 well I do like to disappear in the crowd, I can agree with that. Walking and cycling… I could and would never sign up to cycling in the city. I love walking, but my workplace is in a stupid, slightly sketchy and yucky part of town, absolutely no desire to walk there. And it’d likely take an hour. I could walk to my fresh grad job back in the day, that was a 30 minute and absolutely gorgeous walk in the innermost part of the city center. But the job was terrible.

One time Vladimir Putin visited and the entire area was closed down and handsome policemen escorted commuters to the office blocks. It was -10C and morning meetings were cancelled because we all had to walk. That was a fun day. (No irony included) 

That sounds ... like an interesting experience?

Cycling in some city parts actually seems safer than some country roads. Really depends on which area and if there are special bike lanes anywhere.

[Meera of Tarth]

On 9/30/2021 at 10:06 PM, RhaenysBee said:

Wow, how I envy you. We have team drinks every fucking week. In fact, we’ll have team breakfast and team drinks next week. And all department team building the week after. I can’t even… 

I'd like to have a normal job once I finish this also in order to socialise, even if just a little. Now that classes have started in that master, it felt so good talking with new people.

On 9/27/2021 at 9:05 PM, Buckwheat said:

Depends on what you are proofreading/translating! Generally, proofreading is more boring than translating.

Yeah totally! I much prefer the latter, it's also easier for bad translations to guess the initial point.

And now it comes a crying rant....

The project is over. I didn't make a contract 'cause the work, initially, was supposed to be of just a week and I calculated it would not be worth it for payments to Tax Office. Moreover, the contact was a colleague of a good friend of mine, but in the end, after 2 weeks working and telling them I'd prefer to have a first payment, they said "we're just a start-up, the budget was just 600, you have changed the conditions, this is too much for us, you have weird things of doing business, we are accustomed to receiving the work and you didn't send us anything, it's just checking some words come on!, we can't pay, we have someone else who could do it, the translation was 1000 euros, we can't pay more for proofreading" so bye bye.

Still baffled to the fact how 1000 euros could turn into euro/h for a translator, for that project. Much less than the minimum salary, that for sure. And now I understand how it smelled s google translate.

Needless to say the terms were never changed by me at all, they were clear, and everything I was doing was discussed by them transparently, telling them how this was much bigger once JPEG banners started popping up, saying the words already done every 3 days, etc. It's just two weeks of work done lost though, they didn't receive anything from my part as they never asked me for, everything was going to be sent at the end. 

I felt terribly angry, sad and frsutrated for two days, especially for the condescending comments, lies, and how they have tricked me on this... Today I feel better, though.

I guess I should have always mistrusted from the moment they said "we dodn't know how large our website is".

Something to learn of, I guess.

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I would still go in such a situation! You could still talk about the performance later.

I am so tired. There is one group of students that is exhausting to work with, and I had 3 classes with them today.

 

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ah, I would have gone to the opera even if it meant sitting alone. I have been to the theatre alone a couple times and it was perfectly okay. It took most of my twenties, but at this point I’d much rather go and do something alone than not go because of someone else. Just my approach, each to their own. 

I thought of all that too later, yeah. I will probably do it differently next time, even go alone on my own, or ask her to go to the next one (this would be better). With cinema it's different, I have internalised it's perfectly fine to go alone there, something I normallly do (except for the fact I have not gone to the cinema since February 2020...), so yeah, it makes sense with theatre and opera and concerts as well. It's just, I guess I need to do it once on my own first...??

On 9/30/2021 at 2:21 PM, RhaenysBee said:

Good luck with the masters! 

Thanks!

 

On 9/30/2021 at 10:06 PM, RhaenysBee said:

Oh that sounds heavenly. To walk/cycle to work in a small town. One day I’ll break my toxic dependence on a big city and move to the country. 

In my city it's not very practical, steep streets, and too many cars and motos...

But I usually cycle around my neighborhood and sometimes go to the beach to exercise a little.

Edited October 4, 2021 by Meera of Tarth

[Buckwheat]

Grrrrrr. Was finally over and done with ants in my flat. They were in my bread, that I had intended to eat for breakfast, today morning. Had a very sad cereal breakfast instead of a nice bread. Finally informed the landlord of it and he sprayed over the place with ant poison. I soooo hope this is the end of the ant story now. Still mad about my breakfast.

[RhaenysBee]

On 10/1/2021 at 9:09 PM, Buckwheat said:

Weekends are for socialising indeed. I mean, when I don't have to bring home more work over the weekend ...

I was forced to become a slightly better than shit driver with all the commuting and have lately even started toying with the idea of owning a car. I don't think it would make financial sense, but it would be practical especially for social life.

That’s a good thing at the end of the day, isn’t it? One day circumstances will force me to become a useable driver as well. Aw, owning a car is such an adult thing. If it’s not terrible financially, I’d say go for it, I’m sure it’d make life easier! 

On 10/1/2021 at 9:09 PM, Buckwheat said:

That sounds ... like an interesting experience?

Cycling in some city parts actually seems safer than some country roads. Really depends on which area and if there are special bike lanes anywhere.

An absurd but entertaining one. 

Ah because the roads are uneven?

On 10/4/2021 at 7:35 PM, Meera of Tarth said:

In my city it's not very practical, steep streets, and too many cars and motos...

this is the case here as well. 

23 hours ago, Buckwheat said:

Grrrrrr. Was finally over and done with ants in my flat. They were in my bread, that I had intended to eat for breakfast, today morning. Had a very sad cereal breakfast instead of a nice bread. Finally informed the landlord of it and he sprayed over the place with ant poison. I soooo hope this is the end of the ant story now. Still mad about my breakfast.

ah I’m sorry, that’s annoying. Fingers crossed the ants are done. Do you have any idea where they are coming from? Is the kitchen near a window or something? 

[Buckwheat]

3 hours ago, RhaenysBee said:

That’s a good thing at the end of the day, isn’t it? One day circumstances will force me to become a useable driver as well. Aw, owning a car is such an adult thing. If it’s not terrible financially, I’d say go for it, I’m sure it’d make life easier!

I am not going to seriously buy a car right now. But yes, I suppose it is useful to not be a shitty driver for when I do have to drive.

3 hours ago, RhaenysBee said:

Ah because the roads are uneven?

Uneven, no separate bike lanes, car drivers sometimes driving like crazy, dark because there is no street lighting ... in the cities, there are usually street lights and there is greater possibility of bike lanes.

3 hours ago, RhaenysBee said:

this is the case here as well. 

ah I’m sorry, that’s annoying. Fingers crossed the ants are done. Do you have any idea where they are coming from? Is the kitchen near a window or something? 

They were sometimes in the kitchen and sometimes - more often, actually - in the bathroom. I just know where they usually walked, but it is curious that I don't know of any openings near there, so I have no idea how they came in. I am pretty sure it wasn't through a window, as that is pretty far away and I never saw any in the only room that has a window.

[Fragile Bird]

On 10/8/2021 at 8:26 AM, Buckwheat said:

Grrrrrr. Was finally over and done with ants in my flat. They were in my bread, that I had intended to eat for breakfast, today morning. Had a very sad cereal breakfast instead of a nice bread. Finally informed the landlord of it and he sprayed over the place with ant poison. I soooo hope this is the end of the ant story now. Still mad about my breakfast.

Diatomaceous earth.

You should be able to buy it at, well, what we call a hardware store, where tools and garden supplies are sold. It’s a crystalline powder that’s made from ground-up algae fossils, among other things. The crystals have sharp edges, bugs eat them and it kills them. Like swallowing knives, I suspect. It won’t harm you.  You sprinkle them where you have seen the ants because they follow a scent trail. They’ll pick them up and carry them home where others will eat them and die, so after 2 or 3 days the visits stop.

You may find it in bottles or tins labeled ‘Ant Be Gone’, or just plain ‘Ant Killer’. Not expensive.

[Buckwheat]

4 hours ago, Fragile Bird said:

Diatomaceous earth.

You should be able to buy it at, well, what we call a hardware store, where tools and garden supplies are sold. It’s a crystalline powder that’s made from ground-up algae fossils, among other things. The crystals have sharp edges, bugs eat them and it kills them. Like swallowing knives, I suspect. It won’t harm you.  You sprinkle them where you have seen the ants because they follow a scent trail. They’ll pick them up and carry them home where others will eat them and die, so after 2 or 3 days the visits stop.

You may find it in bottles or tins labeled ‘Ant Be Gone’, or just plain ‘Ant Killer’. Not expensive.

Thanks for the suggestion, it looks like something like that is sold here too. For now, I hope they are gone as we sprayed ant poison all over where I had seen ants. If they reappear, I will look further into other solutions. I cannot check today, since I am at my parents' for the weekend, but I will return tomorrow and see if I still have any uninvited guests ...

[RhaenysBee]

I’ve been feeling like Friday all week. And it’s still only Thursday. 

I did finally get out of the back to office rut though. So many baking and cooking plans. There aren’t enough weekends left of autumn. 

[Buckwheat]

5 hours ago, RhaenysBee said:

I’ve been feeling like Friday all week. And it’s still only Thursday. 

I did finally get out of the back to office rut though. So many baking and cooking plans. There aren’t enough weekends left of autumn. 

Friday cannot come soon enough!

[Pebble thats Stubby]

Hi all,  How are you all doing?

 

Also I really can't believe this threadlet is still not finished.  and still not died.  It really is the Thread that never ends.  lol

 

 

as for me,  something major is happening at work.  there was supposed to be a big announcement on Wednesday but that got pushed back till friday.   We know its not good news.  rumour mill is in overdrive.   All salaried staff have been called in and must attend a special meeting tomorrow in person to be told the news  those on late or night shift have been pulled off shift to attend.   Hourly paid will be told after that meeting.   - This sort of thing don't happen for anything good or a little bad.    this is the sort of thing that normally happens with plant  closures or massive redundancies.  I have never experienced anything like it while working here.   Of course it might not be that bad  but its really big news and not good news for the future of the plant.  that much is obvious.

 

Now really important.  I do not need any sympathy, from a personal perspective if I am loosing my job I'll be laughing all the way to the bank.  I am in a very good position finacally and planning to retire in July 2024 without any payout.  If its worse case news I will get a big pay-out that will cover me for the next couple of years anyway.  - we get very good payouts for this sort of thing and I have been here 27 years.   I will feel sad the place is going and feel bad for other people not in my position, but it won't be bad news for me.   I could actually afford to retire today and leave with nothing - that has impact on our future plans but we could afford it without difficulties (just means Hubby won't get that Aston he wants).  So as I said I don't need sympathy.  thats not me trying to brag just explaining my situation.

 

So yeah Big things gonna be happening and I won't find out will about lunchtime tomorrow when I tune in to the BBC lunchtime news.  (if it really is big bag news) or when I get to work Friday Night.  (I'm on night shift this week)  I will update you all with the news.

 

Other than that news  - Hubby is still enjoying his retirement,  he's got a bit fustrated that he still can't do the things he planned and there is no real sign he can do them next year the way Covid is going.  Pluss with winter coming up that really cuts into the things he can still do.  but hes still enjoying himself and doesn't know how he found time to go to work for all those years.  he really is not bored in the slightest.

 

Brother has finally got a Job,  Yeeha!  its only been 8 years.......  Dad finally had enough and threatened to stop supporting him.  2 hours later he had a job offer.   It might only be minimum wage but at least he won't be taking half of Dad's pension anymore.  He is driving vans delivering shopping for Morisons.  I get the impression he's not exactly enjoying it, but hey its a job and having a job makes him more employable to get a better job.  at least once he has done it for a while.

 

My Baby cousin  - Hey I remember changing her nappy when she was smaller than I am.   Has recently giving birth to a beautiful daughter, and my slightly younger cousin has just announced she is pregnant - there was lots of issues getting pregnant and this really was her last chance shot so this really is fantastic news.    the bad side for me, these cousins of mine live in the US and Australia so I'm unlikely to get to cuddle the little ones while they are still little ones. especially with Covid making travel problematic.

 

I think thats it for my news.   Hope you are all doing really well.  Love you all

[RhaenysBee]

I’m sorry about whatever the company is going through and its impact on the employees. Good to know that it doesn’t affect you in any negative way and your retirement was thus moved up. Enjoy that extra time and freedom! also let us know what the announcement was after all. 

Yay for your brother’s job and huge huge congrats and best wishes to the cousins and their respective little ones. Such joyous events in the midst of the pandemic situation we’ve been stuck with for so long.