Rant of the Day v2.

[Pontius Navigator]

OFSO, probably telling you that the replacement versus repair is better.

Our boiler, a piece of crap, is supposed to heat water for the shower and water for the heating. When the hot tap is opened the boiler fires up and a diverter switches the heater to shower water, except it didn't.

After 2 years we were lucky if we got warm water and then we had to run around the shower to catch a warm bit.
Tiny little valve changed on the third visit.

Other than that it is just a rats nest of pipes and bugger all else. How they can charge ££££ for a replacement I do not know.

At least the repair was under a contract.

[Rwy in Sight]

You are lucky they are not suggesting a long list of changing spare parts and then saying "well it isn't worth repairing any longer consider getting a new one..... "

[PHXPhlyer]

I am in the middle of my CFI renewal course. Online, minimum 16 hours.
Problem is that each chapter is individually timed with its own minimum time and the actual time to complete a chapter is 40-50% of the allocated time. Aren't allowed to move on until time is up.
Much thumb-twiddling being accomplished.
The only consolation is that I signed up for a one time fee for lifetime renewals. This is my eleventh one.

PP

[ExSp33db1rd]

Much thumb-twiddling being accomplished.

Don't you just love the digital age ?

[PHXPhlyer]

At least over the last few cycles they have changed the testing process.
There would be a test after each chapter. the questions were not from the meat and potatoes of the lesson but were obscure tidbits. You had to reread the whole module to find that nugget of information.
Now there is one test midway through and another at the end. Only one question on the mid-course test was about statistical trends; one higher and one lower, other way around, and both higher or lower. Answered with a "SWAG". Only one I missed.

PP

[1DC]

Can you think of anything that is obvious to us that we get for paying the exorbitant rates to the council? says I to Mrs 1DC. They empty the bins. she replies. Well why have they just sent me a bill for £50 to empty next years green waste bin? says I. Cos they can and will says she. Bast*rds says I.

[llondel]

They offer a free treatment for hypotension.

[OFSO]

Guy came up late last night and cleaned filter in gas pipe out in the street. It's made no difference. As he said, modern boiler units made as cheaply as possible, although unsurprisingly not sold as cheaply as possible. I reckon it's the flame sensor needs cleaning. Might have a look myself.

[OFSO]

Acting on information received I today opened up the CH, removed the flame detector electrode, rubbed it down with fine abraisive paper, cleaned deposits off the ceramic portion, and replaced the unit, screwing it well down to ensure a good earth contact. And lo! Ignition after three attempts, no reset intervention by me. Now why didn't the main agents do that. Next time I'm in town I'll buy a new electrode myself and fit it. After eight years of burning in the flame it could probably do with replacing.

[Boac]

I always have had a new flame thermocouple fitted at each annual service on my boiler after the thermocouple failed. about 6 years ago mid-winter. A price worth paying, I think.

[ricardian]

Academic with too much time on her hands

Marks & Spencer has changed the name of its Midget Gems sweets to avoid offending people with dwarfism after a campaign by a Liverpool academic. Dr Erin Pritchard, a lecturer in disability studies at Liverpool Hope University, argued the word midget was a form of hate speech. M&S has now rebranded the popular gelatine treats as Mini Gems. A spokeswoman said the store was "committed to being an inclusive retailer".

[OFSO]

Tomorrow at 07:00 well see if CH lights up with refurbished/cleaned thermocouple. I'm still popping into town to buy a new one. After we collect Mme's Fiesta from the body shop (if finished).

[llondel]

Does this mean that midget submarines have to be renamed too?

[4mastacker]

Does that mean Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will be banned as demeaning to the Oompah Loompahs?

[Pontius Navigator]

Least MG dropped Midget years ago, probably because it was dwarfed by the MGB.

[tango15]

Academic with too much time on her hands

Marks & Spencer has changed the name of its Midget Gems sweets to avoid offending people with dwarfism after a campaign by a Liverpool academic. Dr Erin Pritchard, a lecturer in disability studies at Liverpool Hope University, argued the word midget was a form of hate speech. M&S has now rebranded the popular gelatine treats as Mini Gems. A spokeswoman said the store was "committed to being an inclusive retailer".

...and thereby hangs a tale. I think this is precisely the problem with learning institutions these days. Too much emphasis on being politically correct/wokeism and not enough proper academia. I meet quite a lot of university students in my work and whilst some of them are very bright, many of them clearly aren't. Their poor overall education is frequently exposed when they have the temerity to take part in quiz shows.

In 2020, at Silverstone, there were five dwarfs working as Santa's elves for the light show at Christmas. A happier bunch of guys (and gals) it would be difficult to find - very pleasant company and seemingly unaffected by their diminished stature.

If Marks & Spencer is 'committed to being an 'inclusive retailer', then shouldn't it begin by lowering its shelves so that everyone can reach them?

[llondel]

Don't call them dwarves. It's not proper gnomenclature.

[G-CPTN]

Little people . . .

[OFSO]

Close relative in UK was driving their child on Friday to take school entrance exams. As a favour, took a neighbour's child as well. Neighbour's child coughing and sneezing in car. My relative assumed it was just a cold, but afterwards phoned neighbour. Neighbour's answer stunned her: "Oh no, she's got Covid."

I'm speechless.

[PHXPhlyer]

Close relative in UK was driving their child on Friday to take school entrance exams. As a favour, took a neighbour's child as well. Neighbour's child coughing and sneezing in car. My relative assumed it was just a cold, but afterwards phoned neighbour. Neighbour's answer stunned her: "Oh no, she's got Covid."

I'm speechless.

PP