Seemingly trivial things that cheer you up

Matthewfalle

Cowsham wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

ayjaycee wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

ayjaycee wrote:

As we're still on the meeting celebrities thing, I once had the misfortune to meet Graham Souness (with his wife and another couple) in a restaurant in Turkey. Luckily, we had finished dinner and were waiting for the bill when he struck up a conversation with us as I think he'd had a few - I don't know what he's like when he's sober but he didn't make a particularly pleasant drunk!

I once had dinner and played chess with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Now you're just showing off

he was actually really nice - there were 6 of us for dinner

Were the other 5 all MF's? ( you might have to explain that to new members on this thread Matt in case they think I'm being very very insulting rather than just my usual very insulting.)

no offence taken!

no - two were left at home looking after the family chinchilla, one was sitting in the garden reading a book and the last ine was changing the oil filter on a '89 Scania truck.

There was me, TDV, MG, Raisa and a couple of mutual friends who were in an on/off relationship sullied by the fact that they had both recently split up from their respective partners (but for reasons not associated - one was allergic to horses and his ex was an Olympic shojumperist, the other disagreed with an oil treaty that had been signed off by her now ex).

TDV and Raisa knew each other really well through the shenanigans of the geopolitical scene and I had past dealings with MH. The mutual friends insisted on playing ABBA a lot but as TDV, MG and RG were all big fans I sort of went along with it.

Matthewfalle

Cowsham wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

i also once gave Daniella Westbrook a lift to her mate's house from a Chinese take away via a newsagent and an off licence in Exmouth after I had an interview on BBC South West's "Spotlight" news and current affairs programme.

she was down for the weekend on hols and was good enough fun to ask for my autograph as I was her celeb of the day.

She had a small BMW that had a flat battery and I was in an Astra hire car that we both found a bit embarrassing to be in.

Have you seen the doctor about your Dissociative identity disorder yet like "we" told you.?

no - he won't see us all. says we are mad.

ayjaycee

Matthewfalle wrote:

The Queen also once asked me how I got my shoes so shiney. I replied that I had a man to do it for me. She replied "don't we all, young man, don't we all. I feel its better that way".

Nice lady. Not sure if she played chess.

Again, at the risk of going further off topic, totally agree on HM - met her twice, once at Buck House and again at work 4 years later. She was either very well briefed or has an exceptional memory as she remembered me from the first occasion and actually referred to something that was said at the time - I suspect she was just well briefed.

Did you manage to get a look up Daniella's nose (or am I thinking of a different actor with nasal issues)?

Matthewfalle

ayjaycee wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

The Queen also once asked me how I got my shoes so shiney. I replied that I had a man to do it for me. She replied "don't we all, young man, don't we all. I feel its better that way".

Nice lady. Not sure if she played chess.

Again, at the risk of going further off topic, totally agree on HM - met her twice, once at Buck House and again at work 4 years later. She was either very well briefed or has an exceptional memory as she remembered me from the first occasion and actually referred to something that was said at the time - I suspect she was just well briefed.

Did you manage to get a look up Daniella's nose (or am I thinking of a different actor with nasal issues)?

Same Daniella but pre nose collapse issues. Again, not sure about chess playing but seemed a bonny lass and relatively harmless during the take away/newsagent/off licence journey.

She bought a Muscadet and four bottles of local ale from the offie by the way and a copy of Chat1 and a Daily Mail from the newsagent by the way. And some chow mein and pork balls in batter amongst other things. May even have been part of a Menu "B" as I distinctly remember menu "A" was rubbish because we both commented on it.

cowsham

Matthewfalle wrote:

ayjaycee wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

ayjaycee wrote:

As we're still on the meeting celebrities thing, I once had the misfortune to meet Graham Souness (with his wife and another couple) in a restaurant in Turkey. Luckily, we had finished dinner and were waiting for the bill when he struck up a conversation with us as I think he'd had a few - I don't know what he's like when he's sober but he didn't make a particularly pleasant drunk!

I once had dinner and played chess with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Now you're just showing off

he was actually really nice - there were 6 of us for dinner: pretty informal (no ties) so good bantz.

The Queen also once asked me how I got my shoes so shiney. I replied that I had a man to do it for me. She replied "don't we all, young man, don't we all. I feel its better that way".

Nice lady. Not sure if she played chess.

Next time your in with Her Majesty ask her if she wants to go on bargain hunt with me.

pinno

Cowsham wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

ayjaycee wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

ayjaycee wrote:

As we're still on the meeting celebrities thing, I once had the misfortune to meet Graham Souness (with his wife and another couple) in a restaurant in Turkey. Luckily, we had finished dinner and were waiting for the bill when he struck up a conversation with us as I think he'd had a few - I don't know what he's like when he's sober but he didn't make a particularly pleasant drunk!

I once had dinner and played chess with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Now you're just showing off

he was actually really nice - there were 6 of us for dinner: pretty informal (no ties) so good bantz.

The Queen also once asked me how I got my shoes so shiney. I replied that I had a man to do it for me. She replied "don't we all, young man, don't we all. I feel its better that way".

Nice lady. Not sure if she played chess.

Next time your in with Her Majesty ask her if she wants to go on bargain hunt with me.

I'm sure there's a lot of cash in her attic.

laurentian

I met Brian Clough a couple of times "professionally" and Shane McGowan once gave me his beer

Stevo_666

Getting a tax refund from HMRC

Pross

Stevo 666 wrote:

Getting a tax refund from HMRC

No doubt you'll get a notification of underpaid tax in a few months - seems to happen whenever I get a refund.

Stevo_666

Pross wrote:

Stevo 666 wrote:

Getting a tax refund from HMRC

No doubt you'll get a notification of underpaid tax in a few months - seems to happen whenever I get a refund.

I'm in most likely the clear on this one - they've agreed my tax return. Technically they can go back and change it but it's never happened to me before.

rjsterry

Stevo 666 wrote:

Pross wrote:

Stevo 666 wrote:

Getting a tax refund from HMRC

No doubt you'll get a notification of underpaid tax in a few months - seems to happen whenever I get a refund.

I'm in most likely the clear on this one - they've agreed my tax return. Technically they can go back and change it but it's never happened to me before.

That's tempting fate a bit.

Stevo_666

rjsterry wrote:

Stevo 666 wrote:

Pross wrote:

Stevo 666 wrote:

Getting a tax refund from HMRC

No doubt you'll get a notification of underpaid tax in a few months - seems to happen whenever I get a refund.

I'm in most likely the clear on this one - they've agreed my tax return. Technically they can go back and change it but it's never happened to me before.

That's tempting fate a bit.

Maybe, but I know my filing position is right (I should do) and it's not contentious stuff that has generated the refund. But just in case I sent them my detailed calcs where needed

awavey

Marks & Spencer are releasing a "love sausage" for Valentines day, though I suspect like all sausages its size has been much exaggerated

pinno

laurentian wrote:

I met Brian Clough a couple of times "professionally" and Shane McGowan once gave me his beer

Err... gum disease?
Was that before or after the toof job?
Was there any swill back floating on the top?

Stevo_666

awavey wrote:

Marks & Spencer are releasing a "love sausage" for Valentines day, though I suspect like all sausages its size has been much exaggerated

Ribbed as well...they've put some thought into that.

cowsham

awavey wrote:

Marks & Spencer are releasing a "love sausage" for Valentines day, though I suspect like all sausages its size has been much exaggerated

:shock:

laurentian

Pinno wrote:

laurentian wrote:

I met Brian Clough a couple of times "professionally" and Shane McGowan once gave me his beer

Err... gum disease?
Was that before or after the toof job?
Was there any swill back floating on the top?

It was a bottle of Budweiser . . . swill back not identifiable

Matthewfalle

getting home days earlier than expected

bompington

Beautiful ride in this morning: white and frosty but only hovering around zero so pretty mild really, slight tailwind, atmospheric mist in the hollows, snow on the hills in the distance*, dry road, light traffic.

And a particular favourite thing of mine: first morning of the year when the sun has made an appearance on the morning commute - just cracked the horizon as I approached work (at 0743, since you ask)

Not my picture but this is the country I commute through:


*nearest proper hills are Mayar and Driesh above Glen Clova, both just over 3000 feet and about 15 miles as the crow flies; furthest visible, as far as I can tell, is Ben Vorlich, about 50 miles away; highest is Ben lawers at 1214m or just a shade under 4000 feet.

haydenm

^ I often work around the Loch Tay area, not much better than seeing an Osprey taking off from a loch with Ben Lawers as a backdrop

Ben6899

Catching a train up north, this afternoon. I'll have a few pints and also have a ride planned.

And it's sunny.

bompington

Ben6899 wrote:

I'll have a few pints and also have a ride planned.

In that order? :shock:

Ben6899

Yes.

Pints tonight.
Ride tomorrow.

cowsham

Just saw the fastest kid in the world on BBC news -- I think his nickname is Blaze -- damned apt!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-472 ... -the-world

cowsham

Cowsham wrote:

Watching the guy that didn't get paid by travel lodge drive his digger through their hotel. Don't know who's at fault yet but great viewing so far.

According to "The Sun" newspaper the guy did get paid he just hadn't checked his bank account -- it was to be paid on the Friday but due to a banking glitch it arrived on the Monday the day before he trashed the hotel.

Before his frustrations manifested into digger fun, he was waiting for the the boss of -- wait for it ---- " MF CONSTRUCTIONS" ---- to arrive so he could challenge him about it but the boss was late ---

MF I thought you said you were fast?

cowsham

Capt Slog wrote:

Cowsham wrote:

Webboo wrote:

Cycling past Amplgorth Abbey yesterday in the high 20’s degree when a monk strolls out in full cowl complete with green baseball cap. I guess that bald bit on your tonsure could get a bit burnt.

That would have been an ecumenical matter - you see some funny sights when your on your bike.

When I was cycling in the mountains a few weeks ago this hare jumped out of the verge. I must have startled him cos he darted off ( like a hare ) straight down the centre of road in front of me. I wanted to see how fast a hare can actually run so I matched him for speed and started gaining on him to which he responded. This continued until I think I'd got him maxed out but then
I see this black cat standing at the corner ahead of us who had just wandered out of a farm entrance to see what the f was happening -- just when I thought my benign experiment is going to end in disaster for the poor hare, the cat weighed up the pros and cons of trying to catch a hare at full chat being chased by a nutter on a bicycle, decided to err on the side of caution and walk back into the farm.

Oh yes a hare can run at 22MPH for at least 37 seconds. He managed to jump back into the verge at the corner.

That cheered me up.

Chased a cat down the middle of the road today -- it can run at 22MPH but after 10sec it jumped into the hedge -- to be fair to the cat it was quite fat so I'm wondering how a more agile pussy would perform.

Stevo_666

Cowsham wrote:

Chased a cat down the middle of the road today -- it can run at 22MPH but after 10sec it jumped into the hedge -- to be fair to the cat it was quite fat so I'm wondering how a more agile pussy would perform.

People posting stuff that makes me laugh in a Finbarr Saunders sort of way.

Matthewfalle

Cowsham wrote:

Cowsham wrote:

Watching the guy that didn't get paid by travel lodge drive his digger through their hotel. Don't know who's at fault yet but great viewing so far.

According to "The Sun" newspaper the guy did get paid he just hadn't checked his bank account -- it was to be paid on the Friday but due to a banking glitch it arrived on the Monday the day before he trashed the hotel.

Before his frustrations manifested into digger fun, he was waiting for the the boss of -- wait for it ---- " MF CONSTRUCTIONS" ---- to arrive so he could challenge him about it but the boss was late ---

MF I thought you said you were fast?

i knew he was likely to kick my head in so thought it best to hide around the corner for a bit and practice my skids and wheelies.

good to see the company name is out there though - all publicity is good publicity and all that.

robert88

Finding the car parked in front of me has gone and so I don't need to reverse out.

Pross

The ability to look at past images in Streetview which meant I was able to demonstrate to an arsey Client that the information I'd given him was correct at the time.