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Post by The Doctor on Feb 26, 2009 17:10:36 GMT
My eyesight is pretty bad. I'm like the Mole Man.
Destro needs to be in charge of all opticians.
-Ralph
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 27, 2009 8:28:20 GMT
Congratulations, Chris!
I have a ton of leave to use up before the end of March as I'm only allowed to carry 5 days over into the next financial year. It's a hard life.
Yesterday I went to the garden centre and then planted various potted herbs in the front flower bed. Very relaxing. Also increased the number of indoor plants. I think growing things are great, especially when they involve minimal effort. I could never stick an allotment. But I want to get more shrubs, and maybe a fruit tree.
Anyone here into gardening? Anyone just like having something in a flowerpot on their windowsill to brighten their room and improve the air quality?
Martin
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Post by grahamthomson on Feb 27, 2009 8:57:15 GMT
I have been known to potter in the garden. It is very therapeutic.
Plus the dog is remarkably well behaved and stays away from the plants. Well apart from the odd sniff, but he doesn't dig anything up.
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Gav
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Post by Gav on Feb 27, 2009 9:39:08 GMT
I got in last night to a phone call from our council - the roof on our block is getting repaired. Because we own the house rather than rent from the council- they want us to pay £7500+.
It's okay though, we have 3 years to pay it.
WHAAAAAT? Bad times.
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Post by blueshift on Feb 27, 2009 9:41:03 GMT
Tell them to sod off? How can they order really expensive work on your behalf?
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Post by Gav on Feb 27, 2009 9:46:29 GMT
Well the work can only go ahead with my say-so. Apparently everyone else has consented, and they're all waiting on me - which i heavily doubt. It seems I'm surrounded by rich neighbours who don't mind spending over 7.5k at the drop of a hat. It's a hassle though, the work needs done but it's not something I could ever afford.
Bad times.
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Post by blueshift on Feb 27, 2009 9:50:44 GMT
Say no /or/ get your rich neighbours to pay for it/part of it?
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Post by grahamthomson on Feb 27, 2009 9:56:29 GMT
Sorry to hear that, Gav!
If you bought your property from the council recently (say, maybe within the last few years) they may have had an obligation to sell it to you in a reasonable state of repair that wouldn't need anything doing to it for, say, ten years. Kind of like a warranty.
It might be worth you seeking some legal advice on the matter. Have a look for a property specialising solicitor that could offer you a 15 minute consultation for free.
Also; check your buildings insurance... you may be covered for wear and tear.
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Post by Gav on Feb 27, 2009 10:06:38 GMT
We bought the house from a previous owner in Oct 2007 - but these problems have apparently been running a lot longer than that. Being the bottom floor, we haven't experienced the issues of water leakage etc. I need to check the surveyors report we paid for back then to see if this was mentioned - and speak with our insurance company - but yeah it was rather intimidating and shocking at the time. Still have a knot in my stomach thinking about it. Although everyone i've spoken to have been really reassuring and that's helped. Thanks guys
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Feb 27, 2009 10:09:10 GMT
Yikes that's crazy!
In other news I too have a load of holiday to use up so am currently enjoying lots of time off. Except for yesterday when everyone got called to a meeting at work so they could tell us we're all shit.
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Post by andrewbcalculating on Feb 27, 2009 10:25:02 GMT
Martin, would you use some of your leave to come and visit Cambridge? You could probably meet up with me and Garry and anyone else who wants to come along.
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Hero
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Post by Hero on Feb 27, 2009 11:55:51 GMT
Will you also be coming back to Bristol soon, Martin? On a side note. I'll never try to shave my own head again to save a few quid. I um... had an accident last nite and am having to wear a beany hat for a while. At least I can provide a chuckle or two at my expense . ===KEN
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 27, 2009 12:29:49 GMT
Gav, I came across this problem in my years doing Housing Support. It's a standard letter and there is usually bit more give and take with it when enquiries are made. You may be elligable for Legal Aid so take a look at it. In Glasgow there is a place called LSA (Legal Services Agency) in the centre, think it's Renfrew Street. Oh, here they areThey run a free to use surgery for enquiries. I used them a lot in my old job and they are very friendly and jargon-free. You may be entitled to some help with building costs so do get advice. Failing that, Destro knows what to do. -Ralph
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Post by Gav on Feb 27, 2009 12:36:52 GMT
Thanks Ralph that's actually really helpfull. The dude is dropping off some details on grants etc tonight (apparently this 7k is actually INCLUDING a 50% grant) - I think the dude is bullshitting me - we'll see.
On a lighter note - I have some ham sandwiches.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Feb 27, 2009 16:45:34 GMT
Sorry to hear that Gav. Sounds like a right pain in the arse. It's amazing how much gets through surveyors reports, when my mate Brian bought a flat a few years ago, there was a gas leak as some dozy bastard set a copper gas pipe unshielded in concrete. Needless to say he didn't pay for any of the repairs.
Shocking stuff.
Andy
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 27, 2009 18:24:49 GMT
Gav - that's a real bummer. When you said 'house' I was puzzled, but when you said you were only on the bottom floor I began to understand. Flat-owners have far fewer rights than house-owners (leasehold vs. freehold, I think, unless I'm getting mixed up). My uncle recently got lumbered with a big bill when they discovered that all the blocks of flats on his estate had asbestos in them that needed seeing to. He had no say in the matter. Not as big a bill as yours, mind. My sister also has a flat (though I think of it as a house since it's only got one upper floor) and although she's downstairs she still has to contribute to roof maintenance.
Andrew - that's a nice thought! I was considering visiting London and asking if people wanted to meet up, but I go there so often on work these days that it's not so much of a holiday any more. (I'll be staying in central London for work reasons on Monday 20 April if anyone's interested.) But Cambridge would make a nice change if there's friends around to meet up with!
I've got Tues. 17 March to Weds. 18 March, and from Mon. 23 March to Thurs. 26 March off, and would certainly be up for booking a couple of nights in Cambridge in that second period, if people are around to show me what's what. Let me know!
Ken - I'm in Bristol weekend of 21 March (for Mother's Day) and 4 April, and happy to meet up for a pint in town if you're up for it.
Martin
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Post by Shockprowl on Feb 27, 2009 19:05:26 GMT
Hello Sportsfans! Back from a grand week of spanking and C.I.P.P. (thats Collaborative Inter-Professional er something...). Good stuff, but sure as hell didn't need 7 hours of lectures and a FREAKIN' THREE THOUSAND WORD ESSAY DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT!!!!!! Ahem, anyway, got home to a screamingly excited Piglet, who rushed up to me and gave me a HUGE hug! Aw!
Haven't read up on everyone's week yet, I'll catch up tmw, but hope everyone's ok!
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Post by legios on Feb 27, 2009 21:46:32 GMT
Anyone here into gardening? Anyone just like having something in a flowerpot on their windowsill to brighten their room and improve the air quality? Martin I like plants, and having a garden but I'm not much into serious gardening - much to the despair of my grandfather. I do like pottering in my garden come the summer time, but it is carefully calculated to be a relatively easy-care garden - Lavender, Heebies, and other things that don't need that much attention. Oh, and the Ivy of Doom which would - if left to its own devices - colonise first my entire garden and then the entire world. (We have a love-hate relationship that Ivy and I. It was the only plant to survive in my first flat, and virtually bonded with the window frame at one stage but refused to actually grow properly. In frustration I planted it outside when I moved into this house, fully expecting it to die within weeks. It not only survived a winter but put on a huge growth spurt that has never quite let up since). I'm not much of one for indoor plants but I wouldn't be without my Dragon Tree. Which I have recently had to repot, poor thing, as it was growing very twistedly indeed. Gav - you might want to look into your title deeds actually. Most of the time Councils assume that roof repairs are joint liability of all owners in a particular block. Most of the time they are right, but not always. Sometimes the deeds specify that only upper floor owners are liable, and sometimes they are more vaguely worded - "Owners are responsible for an appropriate share of costs of common repairs" as it said in the deeds for my flat. The Lawyer I engaged at the time I bought that suggested that someone could make a good case that the full liability for roof repairs in the latter case lay with owners of the upper properties. Might be worth checking your titles, and as Ralph suggests, seek legal advice. At least that way you will know where you stand. I was rather looking forward to an evening not cooking and treating myself to a ready meal, a rare event, seeing as I have been beavering away on interview prep for job interviews on Monday. A shame then that when I pulled the chicken curry I had bought out of the oven the rice had hardened to the consistency of small white armour-defeating bullets. The curry part of it was cooked to a turn, but the rice was unsalvageable. Fortunately I have a supply of Basmati Rice in the cupboard so I was able to rustle up a substitute. But I was most dissappointed. Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 27, 2009 21:50:42 GMT
Bad curry is a terrible thing!
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Feb 27, 2009 22:01:14 GMT
I'm so ill. I think there's a bug going around and I've got the Eartha Kitt's well bad. You don't want to go in our bath room.
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 27, 2009 23:11:03 GMT
Doesn't sound good. I send positive thoughts.
-Ralph
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Feb 27, 2009 23:22:31 GMT
Hope you feel better soon Phil.
Andy
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Post by Philip Ayres on Feb 28, 2009 6:50:23 GMT
Lost my voice now !
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 28, 2009 11:14:58 GMT
I'll send Destro round. He'll know what to do.
-Ralph
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Feb 28, 2009 11:44:08 GMT
What would Laird Destro do If he was here right now, He'd make a plan And he'd follow through, That's what Laird Destro'd do.
When Laird Destro was in the olympics, Skating for the gold, He did two sow cows and a triple lutz, While wearing a blind fold.
When Laird Destro was in the alps, Fighting grizzly bears, He used his magical fire breath, And saved the maidens fair.
So what would Laird Destro do If he were here today, I'm sure he'd kick an ass or two, That's what Laird Destro'd do.
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 28, 2009 11:59:46 GMT
POST OF THE DAY!
-Ralph
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 28, 2009 14:12:06 GMT
Not good, Phil. In my prayers.
Still in garden enhancement mode, I bought a small blackberry bush and a small bramble bush (not sure the difference, to be honest) and planted them out back today. I also moved a rose bush from the lawn to the flowerbed to make things more orderly, and hid a couple of unsightly breeze blocks. I hate breeze blocks. Don't know why anyone would use them in a garden. Ugly ugly ugly.
Hopefully new fence will go up next week, and a small hedge to be planted, which will then motivate me to spend more time out there.
Martin
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Post by Philip Ayres on Feb 28, 2009 16:17:29 GMT
Thanks. Voice might be shot but I've not needed to sit on the loo all day !
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Post by Shockprowl on Feb 28, 2009 18:30:28 GMT
Just got caught up on the weeks events...
WELL DONE DOC'!!!! Congrats mate!
Congratulations Chris and impending Mrs Chris! Any dates yet? (get used to being asked that one!)
Sorry 'bout the roof, Gav, what a bummer.
And get well soon Phil.
Mrs Shockprowl's bought me a MP3 player! Ain't she a sweetie?! Been loading it all day instead of doing Uni work.
Every morning for a week now, Piglet has been insisting she's a little bird that's just hatched from an egg, and won't get up untill you play along with it for a while! She also periodically likes to pretend she one of the Mr Men. Misters Bump, Rude, Happy and Tickle are the predominant characters.
Oh, What's the diff between Universe and Henkei Silverstreak/Bluestreak? (no it's not a Tomo style joke, I actually want to know) Is Henkei blue at all? Which version is best? Answers on a post card to...
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 28, 2009 18:34:02 GMT
Parentals gladly furnished some pennies so I could pop out for a takeaway. Annoyingly, I encountered the local shite (who were on the MD 20/20 and were also clearly on some drugs due to the state of their eyes, speech and hand movements) down the local curry house and were clearly poised to fight the first person who looked at them funny. I stayed very very still and very very quiet (even when they were shouting in my face) and ran away with my curry as soon possible. One of those times my training came in handy. Close call! I felt quite calm at the time then was surprised to feel myself shaking on the way back. Anyhow, no harm done thankfully.
Curry was most splendid. Huuuuuuuge propertion, couldn't eat it all! Relaxing now with a Banana Bread Ale and some cartoons.
-Ralph
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