Brexit, for once some facts.

jonathan.agnew

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 27, 2018
2,400
3,381
Don't worry, I don't get upset because I'm always content for others to be wrong.

VFR 400 under two different forum names has left in a huff at least three times before, since he first joined in October 2010. Like Arnie, he'll be back.
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No doubt, whether as polly or otherwise. Curiously, I find it interesting. I usually think that for vfr as perhaps others the forum can become a place of meaning, purpose (he used to give useful advice re ebikes, if less so as polly). I realise that may seem absurd (this thread is often absurd, but I suspect - hits and money aside - offers some sense of connection for contributors). That, however, oddly bugs me. I'm working - flatout - in a job I like less and less. And am retiring early, soon (early fifties), but worry about the void that might leave.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,259
30,647
No doubt, whether as polly or otherwise. Curiously, I find it interesting. I usually think that for vfr as perhaps others the forum can become a place of meaning, purpose (he used to give useful advice re ebikes, if less so as polly). I realise that may seem absurd (this thread is often absurd, but I suspect - hits and money aside - offers some sense of connection for contributors).
Not POLLY, who is male living in Chesterfield. vfr400 lives in Essex, the county he was born in, and I believe was formerly living in Shropshire when he was first posting in pedelecs.

I completely agree with your last sentence, probably the most important aspect of the web for many and perhaps important for their mental health.

That, however, oddly bugs me. I'm working - flatout - in a job I like less and less. And am retiring early, soon (early fifties), but worry about the void that might leave.
It is important to have a genuine hobby interest when you retire, preferably something fulfilling that you had insufficient time for when working. Mine is entomology and associated subjects, something that has interested me since only three years old.

That in retirement has given me three years of working as a volunteer for the Natural History Museum and nine years of helping a local environmental group that I'm on the committee of, plus many hours and days of interest for myself. Its web site is a legacy of all the photographic and identification work I've done for them which will probably survive me.

If you don't have such an interest, please go looking for a suitable one or three possibles asap. Best keep an open mind since a subject that might not seem of much interest can become engaging as one delves deeper into it. Ultimately everything can become interesting.
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guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,522
3,276
They probably wouldn't hear it, snugly sealed inside their e-cars, most of their drivers just as oblivious to cyclists as they are now.
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To fix that, I've just ordered a very loud portable bluetooth amplifier, which can drive a speaker or two, of virtually any (normal home hifi) size:


There's also this PA app for my phone:


...which should work if I connect a headset with a boom arm mic. I can then speculate about the weather at random strangers I cycle past, as well as shout very loudly at cars. I can't wait for the amp to be delivered - it's a Class-D, about "30W", which is enough to drive anything up to one of my unused floorstanding speakers. Actually three of these at 50W each would probably be better (waterproof):


Or a few of these:


If not loud enough, adding a couple of these too is an option:


Cars will hear my roar! :eek:

...or a loud looped recording of a Ferrari engine, Triumph motorbike, or just my heavy breathing.

Hey it might cheer people up.
 
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oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
To fix that, I've just ordered a very loud portable bluetooth amplifier, which can drive a speaker or two, of virtually any (normal home hifi) size:


There's also this PA app for my phone:


...which should work if I connect a headset with a boom arm mic. I can then speculate about the weather at random strangers I cycle past, as well as shout very loudly at cars. I can't wait for the amp to be delivered - it's a Class-D, about "30W", which is enough to drive anything up to one of my unused floorstanding speakers. Actually three of these at 50W each would probably be better (waterproof):


Or a few of these:


If not loud enough, adding a couple of these too is an option:


Cars will hear my roar! :eek:

...or a loud looped recording of a Ferrari engine, Triumph motorbike, or just my heavy breathing.

Hey it might cheer people up.
That's the stuff, what the world needs more of is senile delinquents, why should the young corner that market?
And to complete the outfit perchance?
A bespoke "Old Gits Rule!" tattoo, and matching "T" shirt?:cool:
 
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oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
Not POLLY, who is male living in Chesterfield. vfr400 lives in Essex, the county he was born in, and I believe was formerly living in Shropshire when he was first posting in pedelecs.

I completely agree with your last sentence, probably the most important aspect of the web for many and perhaps important for their mental health.



It is important to have a genuine hobby interest when you retire, preferably something fulfilling that you had insufficient time for when working. Mine is entomology and associated subjects, something that has interested me since only three years old.

That in retirement has given me three years of working as a volunteer for the Natural History Museum and nine years of helping a local environmental group that I'm on the committee of, plus many hours and days of interest for myself. Its web site is a legacy of all the photographic and identification work I've done for them which will probably survive me.

If you don't have such an interest, please go looking for a suitable one or three possibles asap. Best keep an open mind since a subject that might not seem of much interest can become engaging as one delves deeper into it. Ultimately everything can become interesting.
.
I have two main Hobbies that keep me amused 24/7 one is painting in water based oils on framed canvasses
This is an example
44224

My other Hobby is a variation on trying to keep awake to see Santa. My Dear wife has a sneaky habit of sliding out of bed onto the floor immediately l close my eyes.
But I have bought a secret weapon to foil her plan
44225
A chair that is assembled under her and erects lifting her to a standing position
Operated by a crank you will note.
I took delivery on the 5th of August this year and now I have been able to achieve an erection no less that 17 times, including once early this morning.
It must have saved quite a bit for the NHS on Ambulance Fall teams callouts.
(And now I have superceded the crank with my Battery Drill.)
 
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guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,522
3,276
I have two main Hobbies that keep me amused 24/7 one is painting in water based oils on framed canvasses
This is an example
View attachment 44224

My other Hobby is a variation on trying to keep awake to see Santa. My Dear wife has a sneaky habit of sliding out of bed onto the floor immediately l close my eyes.
But I have bought a secret weapon to foil her plan
View attachment 44225
A chair that is assembled under her and erects lifting her to a standing position
Operated by a crank you will note.
I took delivery on the 5th of August this year and now I have been able to achieve an erection no less that 17 times, including once early this morning.
It must have saved quite a bit for the NHS on Ambulance Fall teams callouts.
(And now I have superceded the crank with my Battery Drill.)

That's excellent, well thought out work! On both counts! I couldn't paint anything resembling art like that, and nowhere near as skilfully... and your drill innovation is a great solution, that they should have thought to include in the original design, given their target market. I use a wool filled futon, which is pretty much on the floor, well worth considering a thick wool filled futon matress... my back is a lot less painful since I threw out my old bed:


Their bed frames are not great - they join the slats rather than use whole lengths, using a zigzag cut pattern and they DO NOT LAST. You're better off making your own.

But wool futon mattresses don't suit everyone.
 
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guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,522
3,276
That's the stuff, what the world needs more of is senile delinquents, why should the young corner that market?
And to complete the outfit perchance?
A bespoke "Old Gits Rule!" tattoo, and matching "T" shirt?:cool:
Especially at night, people simply stroll out into the road without looking. The Bafang kits are extremely quiet, it'd be useful to sound like some sort of motor vehicle - F1 car? Perhaps the clipclop of horses would be more pleasant.
 
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oyster

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 7, 2017
10,422
14,609
West West Wales
He can't stop himself:

Boris Johnson hands peerage and ministerial job to banker who gave party £147,500

Opposition parties condemn decision as ‘rampant cronyism’

Financier Malcolm Offord, who has gifted £147,500 to the Conservative Party, has been appointed as a junior minister at the Scotland Office.


Must spend his evenings scanning the biggest donors and deciding what job he can give them.
 

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,522
3,276
I have two main Hobbies that keep me amused 24/7 one is painting in water based oils on framed canvasses
This is an example
View attachment 44224

My other Hobby is a variation on trying to keep awake to see Santa. My Dear wife has a sneaky habit of sliding out of bed onto the floor immediately l close my eyes.
But I have bought a secret weapon to foil her plan
View attachment 44225
A chair that is assembled under her and erects lifting her to a standing position
Operated by a crank you will note.
I took delivery on the 5th of August this year and now I have been able to achieve an erection no less that 17 times, including once early this morning.
It must have saved quite a bit for the NHS on Ambulance Fall teams callouts.
(And now I have superceded the crank with my Battery Drill.)
Technical drawing, I can do, but paints? Too technical for me... It's a whole other world of things to know.
 
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Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
No doubt, whether as polly or otherwise. Curiously, I find it interesting. I usually think that for vfr as perhaps others the forum can become a place of meaning, purpose (he used to give useful advice re ebikes, if less so as polly). I realise that may seem absurd (this thread is often absurd, but I suspect - hits and money aside - offers some sense of connection for contributors). That, however, oddly bugs me. I'm working - flatout - in a job I like less and less. And am retiring early, soon (early fifties), but worry about the void that might leave.
Do think some have to be careful with retirement. Think we all fall into 2 groups, either we live to work or we work to live.
I, ve always been the latter.
When I was leaving full time paid employment some work colleagues asked"but what will you do with your time? "
They were the live to work types.
My leisure mates were all jealous. All work to live types.
I, ve built things, some at profit, some at loss., from cars, windsurf boards, sea scooters, ebikes, motor bikes, to rocking horses. I,ve fitted barges and boats out... And ran 2 businesses...(one in France)... Renovated an old house in Filey... And sailed on almost every windy day(worked until F4?) and ebiked on sunny calm days. So for me retirement was wrong word. It was leaving the comfort blanket of a known monthly income. Should have done it at 25...not 52...
Enjoyed last 15 years more than any in real work.
Alex Fergusson made a great comment when asked if he was retiring...
"I, m too old to retire"... Its true. Some people are.
 
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guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,522
3,276
He can't stop himself:

Boris Johnson hands peerage and ministerial job to banker who gave party £147,500

Opposition parties condemn decision as ‘rampant cronyism’

Financier Malcolm Offord, who has gifted £147,500 to the Conservative Party, has been appointed as a junior minister at the Scotland Office.


Must spend his evenings scanning the biggest donors and deciding what job he can give them.
They won't win back any Scottish votes like that!
 
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,259
30,647
I have two main Hobbies that keep me amused 24/7 one is painting in water based oils on framed canvasses
This is an example
View attachment 44224

My other Hobby is a variation on trying to keep awake to see Santa. My Dear wife has a sneaky habit of sliding out of bed onto the floor immediately l close my eyes.
But I have bought a secret weapon to foil her plan
View attachment 44225
A chair that is assembled under her and erects lifting her to a standing position
Operated by a crank you will note.
I took delivery on the 5th of August this year and now I have been able to achieve an erection no less that 17 times, including once early this morning.
It must have saved quite a bit for the NHS on Ambulance Fall teams callouts.
(And now I have superceded the crank with my Battery Drill.)
Yes, I remember seimg some of your excellent paintings before. That was my older brother's interest during retirement and as a member of an art club holding exhibitions his started selling. Good for a while, eventually commissions for certain paintings and their deadlines became a bit of a burden and started to stress him, so beware of going down that route.
.
 
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oyster

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 7, 2017
10,422
14,609
West West Wales
Thought for the day

"If the gods had intended for people to vote, they would have given us candidates"
Howard Zinn
candidate (n.)
"person who seeks or is put forward for an office by election or appointment," c. 1600, from Latin candidatus "one aspiring to office," originally "white-robed," past participle of candidare "to make white or bright," from candidus past participle of candere "to shine," from PIE root *kand- "to shine." White was the usual color of the Roman toga, but office-seekers in ancient Rome wore a gleaming white toga (togacandida), probably whitened with fine powdered chalk, presumably to indicate the purity of their intentions in seeking a role in civic affairs.

Chalkie White and I claim...
 

oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
Yes, I remember seimg some of your excellent paintings before. That was my older brother's interest during retirement and as a member of an art club holding exhibitions his started selling. Good for a while, eventually commissions for certain paintings and their deadlines became a bit of a burden and started to stress him, so beware of going down that route.
.
When I retired I vowed never to work for money again if at all possible and I have stuck to that. I never finish a painting, and unless they are being gifted to someone, never sign them either.
What is the point?
Jokingly I suggested to my Younger daughter that when I die, she rips the canvases off the frame and stuffs them round me in my coffin.
Rothchild famously remarked "If I can't take it with me I won't go!"
My cunning plan is to take it with me. :cool:
 

oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
Yes, I remember seimg some of your excellent paintings before. That was my older brother's interest during retirement and as a member of an art club holding exhibitions his started selling. Good for a while, eventually commissions for certain paintings and their deadlines became a bit of a burden and started to stress him, so beware of going down that route.
.
Thanks for the compliments , mine either end up in a pile in the spare room or I give them away.
In the situation I now am by painting places we have been I can disconnect from the present
 

oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
That's excellent, well thought out work! On both counts! I couldn't paint anything resembling art like that, and nowhere near as skilfully... and your drill innovation is a great solution, that they should have thought to include in the original design, given their target market. I use a wool filled futon, which is pretty much on the floor, well worth considering a thick wool filled futon matress... my back is a lot less painful since I threw out my old bed:


Their bed frames are not great - they join the slats rather than use whole lengths, using a zigzag cut pattern and they DO NOT LAST. You're better off making your own.

But wool futon mattresses don't suit everyone.
Thank you! they do provide a battery powered version used by the Humberside Fire Brigade, but that casts £250 more! not only that if it only got used say once a year (I wish!) the chances are the batteries would be discharged as I had neglected to regularly charge them.
 
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