Dear Readers,
I am cheating a little this time.This is really nothing to do with my computer progress, more to do with my lack of writing over the past few weeks. It is also a simple way to let all my friends know why I have been almost incommunicado since the middle of August.
On the 14th August, a Saturday,I was walking from my living room into the kitchen and the carpet seemed damp beneath my feet. I thought at first maybe I had spilled a coffee or something similar, but I could not recall doing so. On Sunday morning there was a wet patch on the carpet and it was stained. On lifting the carpet I found the chipboard flooring was soaking wet. Not knowing where the water had come from, I decided the best thing was contact my insurance company as early as possible. This I did first thing Monday morning. They advised me to contact a builder or plumber who arrived within half an hour. He ripped up four sections of flooring about two feet square and found 1/2 an inch of water under the polystyrene insulation. We eventually traced the water source to a leak from the bathroom toilet cistern. I immediately
informed the insurance company who said they would send round an assessor. He came on the Wednesday morning, the 18th. He found water under the flooring in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, hall and both bedrooms. He also took a sample of tiling from the kitchen to test for asbestos before any work could be done.He sent them to a laboratory on the Thursday, the results (Negative) coming back on Monday 23rdAugust. On the Monday afternoon I had a visit from a drying company who installed a dehumidifier. The remainder of the week I was telephoning the insurance company and their various agents before I was contacted by a storage firm on the Thursday who arranged to pack all my worldly possessions the following Tuesday.On the 31st two storage company staff arrived and started packing my belongings. I will give them credit, they were highly efficient and very thorough.On Thursday 2nd September the last of my goods were taken from the house. After almost continuous phoning, on 21st Sept,a joiner arrived to rip out the flooring from kitchen, living room. bathroom, hall and both bedrooms. On 27th a plumber arrives and rips out bath,toilet, and cistern. On 28th and 29th I had another plumber and a carpenter come to take out the vanity unit in the bathroom, all kitchen cupboards, sink unit and oven also the hot water tank. Friday 1st October I had dryers and dehumidifiers installed.
I have been living at my youngest daughters since 31st August, spoilt rotten, but still not the same as being at home. I have been frightened to go anywhere or do anything in case anyone tried to contact me. I have had no inclination to do anything or write blogs, emails or anything for six weeks now.
Technology does rear its ugly head, but apparently not in simple household disasters.Hopefully now things have started to happen I will feel more inclined to spend more time on the computer. If this blog sounds as though I'm slightly depressed or down in the dumps, believe me, that's not the half of it.I could spit feathers. Until next time, hopefully in a better mood. Dinosaurdoug.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Proofreading.
Hello Readers,
After a space of three weeks I'm back. I wrote recently of Tom's efforts to teach us something about Excel and Words. With a little bit of hard work on both our parts, something has gradually sunk in. My youngest son who lives in Germany, periodically sends me copies of brochures in English and German and asks me to proof read and check for mistakes. I do occasionally find some minor errors, and previously I have noted these on a piece of paper, and when I have finished reading, have written an Email listing my findings. This has been very time consuming, and left room for more errors. Thanks to Tom I can now go over to Excel and with the help of the REVIEW tab I can make notes on the original copy immediately, and post them straight back to Germany. I know it's bolting the stable door after the horse has fled, but I wish I had taken up computers years ago. At long last I am finding more and more how useful they are. I am beginning to feel a minor sense of achievement as the weeks go by.I am still communicating over MSN with my daughter in America every Sunday and enjoying it. Seeing the great grandchildren is an added bonus. I advise anyone slightly interested to take up the challenge and have a go. I am also browsing a lot more than previously and finding so many things of interest on the net. I'm just going to browse now. Instead of watching the gogglebox I'm going to watch the googlebox for a change.Until the next Blog, Take care. Dinosaurdoug.
After a space of three weeks I'm back. I wrote recently of Tom's efforts to teach us something about Excel and Words. With a little bit of hard work on both our parts, something has gradually sunk in. My youngest son who lives in Germany, periodically sends me copies of brochures in English and German and asks me to proof read and check for mistakes. I do occasionally find some minor errors, and previously I have noted these on a piece of paper, and when I have finished reading, have written an Email listing my findings. This has been very time consuming, and left room for more errors. Thanks to Tom I can now go over to Excel and with the help of the REVIEW tab I can make notes on the original copy immediately, and post them straight back to Germany. I know it's bolting the stable door after the horse has fled, but I wish I had taken up computers years ago. At long last I am finding more and more how useful they are. I am beginning to feel a minor sense of achievement as the weeks go by.I am still communicating over MSN with my daughter in America every Sunday and enjoying it. Seeing the great grandchildren is an added bonus. I advise anyone slightly interested to take up the challenge and have a go. I am also browsing a lot more than previously and finding so many things of interest on the net. I'm just going to browse now. Instead of watching the gogglebox I'm going to watch the googlebox for a change.Until the next Blog, Take care. Dinosaurdoug.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Deviation.
Hello again Readers,
I'm back into circulation once again. I've just had a quick scan over my last couple of entries, and I must apologise for deviating from my original title of Technology. I think my holiday in the States must have given me a touch of sunstroke or something, because the last couple of entries reads more like pages from Facebook, or my personal diary than to do with the learning process. I will attempt to return to the original theme now.
Since returning from my holiday, school was closed for a couple of weeks due to holidays, cleaning and refurbishment etc, so the learning lapsed.
Before I went on holiday, Tom introduced us to Microsoft Word 2007, and then I was away for nearly a month during which time no schoolwork was done by me whatsoever. On my return we were given handouts and allowed to work through them at our own pace. Tom was missing for a couple of weeks due to other commitments so I struggled on alone, finding it sometimes rather difficult. He did however turn up again on Wednesday and things returned to normal. Wednesday he spent the whole morning revising the Office pages, and without doubt it was the best and most interesting morning we've had for a long time. So many things we had forgotten were brought back to mind, and so many other new things were learnt. At lunchtime we all went home in a happy frame of mind and feeling as though we had accomplished something. It was a great day. I don't know if it's just me, or some of my classmates feel the same way, but sometimes I feel almost despondent because of the lack of absorption. I suppose some of it sticks, but it never feels enough.
I did use the net this week though, to look for a new telephone. There was a power cut last Friday, and when the current was switched on again there must have been a surge or something, because it blew my phone. It went completely haywire and there was nothing I could do with it. As I've said before, modern technology is good, but it has its drawbacks. At least on the internet I was able to compare the various products and their prices without having to traipse round the shops for information. Technology does have its pro's and cons as I am gradually finding out. The deeper I go into it, the more I am finding myself in favour. Time now for Emails, so until the next instalment, keep on trucking. Dinosaurdoug.
I'm back into circulation once again. I've just had a quick scan over my last couple of entries, and I must apologise for deviating from my original title of Technology. I think my holiday in the States must have given me a touch of sunstroke or something, because the last couple of entries reads more like pages from Facebook, or my personal diary than to do with the learning process. I will attempt to return to the original theme now.
Since returning from my holiday, school was closed for a couple of weeks due to holidays, cleaning and refurbishment etc, so the learning lapsed.
Before I went on holiday, Tom introduced us to Microsoft Word 2007, and then I was away for nearly a month during which time no schoolwork was done by me whatsoever. On my return we were given handouts and allowed to work through them at our own pace. Tom was missing for a couple of weeks due to other commitments so I struggled on alone, finding it sometimes rather difficult. He did however turn up again on Wednesday and things returned to normal. Wednesday he spent the whole morning revising the Office pages, and without doubt it was the best and most interesting morning we've had for a long time. So many things we had forgotten were brought back to mind, and so many other new things were learnt. At lunchtime we all went home in a happy frame of mind and feeling as though we had accomplished something. It was a great day. I don't know if it's just me, or some of my classmates feel the same way, but sometimes I feel almost despondent because of the lack of absorption. I suppose some of it sticks, but it never feels enough.
I did use the net this week though, to look for a new telephone. There was a power cut last Friday, and when the current was switched on again there must have been a surge or something, because it blew my phone. It went completely haywire and there was nothing I could do with it. As I've said before, modern technology is good, but it has its drawbacks. At least on the internet I was able to compare the various products and their prices without having to traipse round the shops for information. Technology does have its pro's and cons as I am gradually finding out. The deeper I go into it, the more I am finding myself in favour. Time now for Emails, so until the next instalment, keep on trucking. Dinosaurdoug.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Amendments.
Hi Readers,
Sorry about the formation of Tuesdays Blog, but I tried to copy it from an Email I sent earlier in the day, and I'm afraid the spacings didn't line up. Something else I will have to talk to Tom about. I realise more than ever, the more I learn,the less I know. There is a long, long way before I reach the end of the road. I shall have to buckle down now I'm home again, and get the nose down to the grindstone. Regards, Dinosaurdoug.
P.S. For the uninitiated, Dummheiten means stupidity, or stupid actions. Having read the Blog, self explanatory.
Sorry about the formation of Tuesdays Blog, but I tried to copy it from an Email I sent earlier in the day, and I'm afraid the spacings didn't line up. Something else I will have to talk to Tom about. I realise more than ever, the more I learn,the less I know. There is a long, long way before I reach the end of the road. I shall have to buckle down now I'm home again, and get the nose down to the grindstone. Regards, Dinosaurdoug.
P.S. For the uninitiated, Dummheiten means stupidity, or stupid actions. Having read the Blog, self explanatory.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Dummheiten and firsts.
DOUGS DUMMHEITEN and First Times.
As many of you will know, I have just returned from a three week
holiday in the U.S. I havent't seen daughter Anne and son in law Bob
since Christmas 1995, so as you can imagine it was quite an eventful
trip. For the uninitiated she lives about 12 miles from Deer River
(Pop 903), set on Federal Highway 2, almost halfway between Wisconsin
and North Dakota, and about 90 miles from the Canadian border. As you
can see, not exactly a thriving metropolis, and to get anywhere one
has to drive.
I was picked up in Twin Cities on the Friday night and delivered
safely home. Saturday we discussed what would happen whilst there,
and I said if I could borrow one of the family cars, I would like to
visit an old friend from my Iranian days who was summering in
Wisconsin. Anne thought it was a long way for a young lad like me to
travel on my own and offered to drive me there. I said it was only
about 400 miles, so a quick check on Yahoo travel search, showed 393
miles. After much deliberation, it was finally agreed that I'd be
allowed out on my own. On the Tuesday I set out bright and early,
having had my first lesson in the use of GPS, or Sat Nav as we call
it. Having mastered it, I was gaining confidence in modern technology
and having travelled through mist, drizzle, heavy rain, sunshine and
then in Duluth, thick fog with visibility down to about 20 yards I
had complete trust in it. Before leaving, Bob warned me to watch out
for roadkill. On the journey I saw two squashed skunks, two run over
racoons, about twenty dead deer and about thirty commercial tyre
carcasses scattering the highway. The Sat Nav was a detachable one, so
it lay on the passenger seat and I couldn't see the screen and only
listened to the spoken directions, which to my mind was quite
satisfactory. Arriving at Wisconsin Dells about 20 miles before my
destination I had a near miss. The Dells is a cross between a
miniature Las Vegas and Blackpool. All amusement arcades, casinos,
water slides funfair attractions, roller coasters, even lake trips in
ex army DUKWS. It is extremely busy. I was on the main street (Max
25 mph) doing about 20 mph when from the right, about three yards in
front of me shot a deer doing a high rate of knots. A school bus on
my left also managed to avoid it, and I believe the two lanes of
oncoming traffic also avoided it. One lucky little animal.
I arrived at my pals in good order, and had a couple of wonderful
days, eating, drinking and reminiscing. I left early on the Friday
morning to avoid traffic and set off for home. After a couple of
hours, and just over a hundred miles I reached a little place called
York. The name sounding familiar, I thought it would be a good place
to stop, have a snack and tank up. Horror of horrors, I realised I had
left my jacket complete with credit cards in my mates wardrobe. I
could have spit feathers. Having to return to his place stuck over
200 miles and four hours on my journey back. It is said stupidity must
be paid for, and I certainly paid that day, with over 600 miles and 12
hours travelling. Good job I didn't have a Tacho.That was stupid act
No 1.
My youngest granddaughter graduated with honours from high school on
6th June, so a large house party was in order. It was also one of my
great granddaughters fifth birthday, so we had quite a houseful. It
was also another first for me. I met my ten American great
grandchildren for the very first time. I will admit a few tears were
shed on both sides.
Stupid act No2 came after my arrival back in England. After an
uneventful flight I arrived back in Heathrow and took a hopper bus
back to the hotel. Sleeping on my feet, I got off the bus and went to
enter the hotel foyer. Walking through bright sunlight into the dim
foyer I walked straight into a glass door breaking my specs. I'm
beginning to think the kids may be right when they say I'm not fit to
be let out on my own. If anyone would like an unabridged version, I'll
only be too happy to continue whenever we meet.
Doug.
As many of you will know, I have just returned from a three week
holiday in the U.S. I havent't seen daughter Anne and son in law Bob
since Christmas 1995, so as you can imagine it was quite an eventful
trip. For the uninitiated she lives about 12 miles from Deer River
(Pop 903), set on Federal Highway 2, almost halfway between Wisconsin
and North Dakota, and about 90 miles from the Canadian border. As you
can see, not exactly a thriving metropolis, and to get anywhere one
has to drive.
I was picked up in Twin Cities on the Friday night and delivered
safely home. Saturday we discussed what would happen whilst there,
and I said if I could borrow one of the family cars, I would like to
visit an old friend from my Iranian days who was summering in
Wisconsin. Anne thought it was a long way for a young lad like me to
travel on my own and offered to drive me there. I said it was only
about 400 miles, so a quick check on Yahoo travel search, showed 393
miles. After much deliberation, it was finally agreed that I'd be
allowed out on my own. On the Tuesday I set out bright and early,
having had my first lesson in the use of GPS, or Sat Nav as we call
it. Having mastered it, I was gaining confidence in modern technology
and having travelled through mist, drizzle, heavy rain, sunshine and
then in Duluth, thick fog with visibility down to about 20 yards I
had complete trust in it. Before leaving, Bob warned me to watch out
for roadkill. On the journey I saw two squashed skunks, two run over
racoons, about twenty dead deer and about thirty commercial tyre
carcasses scattering the highway. The Sat Nav was a detachable one, so
it lay on the passenger seat and I couldn't see the screen and only
listened to the spoken directions, which to my mind was quite
satisfactory. Arriving at Wisconsin Dells about 20 miles before my
destination I had a near miss. The Dells is a cross between a
miniature Las Vegas and Blackpool. All amusement arcades, casinos,
water slides funfair attractions, roller coasters, even lake trips in
ex army DUKWS. It is extremely busy. I was on the main street (Max
25 mph) doing about 20 mph when from the right, about three yards in
front of me shot a deer doing a high rate of knots. A school bus on
my left also managed to avoid it, and I believe the two lanes of
oncoming traffic also avoided it. One lucky little animal.
I arrived at my pals in good order, and had a couple of wonderful
days, eating, drinking and reminiscing. I left early on the Friday
morning to avoid traffic and set off for home. After a couple of
hours, and just over a hundred miles I reached a little place called
York. The name sounding familiar, I thought it would be a good place
to stop, have a snack and tank up. Horror of horrors, I realised I had
left my jacket complete with credit cards in my mates wardrobe. I
could have spit feathers. Having to return to his place stuck over
200 miles and four hours on my journey back. It is said stupidity must
be paid for, and I certainly paid that day, with over 600 miles and 12
hours travelling. Good job I didn't have a Tacho.That was stupid act
No 1.
My youngest granddaughter graduated with honours from high school on
6th June, so a large house party was in order. It was also one of my
great granddaughters fifth birthday, so we had quite a houseful. It
was also another first for me. I met my ten American great
grandchildren for the very first time. I will admit a few tears were
shed on both sides.
Stupid act No2 came after my arrival back in England. After an
uneventful flight I arrived back in Heathrow and took a hopper bus
back to the hotel. Sleeping on my feet, I got off the bus and went to
enter the hotel foyer. Walking through bright sunlight into the dim
foyer I walked straight into a glass door breaking my specs. I'm
beginning to think the kids may be right when they say I'm not fit to
be let out on my own. If anyone would like an unabridged version, I'll
only be too happy to continue whenever we meet.
Doug.
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Photostitch.
Hi Readers, Today I'm writing my short Blog during lesson time. This morning we learnt how to stitch photo's together to make a panoramic view from a series of still photo's. Extremely clever. The remainder of the class are at the moment leaning how to create a Blog. Being a Smart A!!! and having having learnt this last year, I am now going to find out how to add photo's to my existing Blog, add scenes, videos etc. Tom also wants me to incorporate my Blog with the Link Trusts Blog. I don't know how this will work, or even work out. Being a gambler I am going to give it a whirl. Oh Oh, time to start listening again, playtimes over. Till next time, Dinosaurdoug.
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