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Reasons to be not cheerful

By Herring (Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 02:18:11 PM EST) (all tags)

one, two, three .... several

Just spoken to my mum again. The water has receeded from the house, but obviously it's a mess. One of their insurers (don't know if it's buildings or contents) is denying all knowledge of the last renewal. Mum says she has the paperwork to prove it though (clearly far more organized than me). I assume it can all be sorted, but it's not what's needed right now.

They are still staying with friends. OK, the insurers should put them up, but the question is: where? I have no idea how long it will take to sort out the whole house with new floors, carpets etc., but I strongly suspec we wont be going to theirs for Christmas.

I will invite them here, but mum is a bit funny about staying away from home. Sister thinks it's because of her prosthetic eye stuff that takes various glues and things to sort out in the morning.

I'm going up there Saturday (so no major late night Friday). If anyone has any experience/advice with dealing with this sort of thing, It would be appreciated.

Meanwhile I am doing this course up town. I fucking hate going up and down every day. How they have the nerve to actually charge people to travel on those trains amazes me. Annoying people:

Stupid woman making a phonecall at the bottmo of the stairs at Farringdon. There are several hundred people trying to get the fuck out of the station and those are the only stairs.
Gum chewers in my face on the train
People trying to get one the train. It would be quicker for you if you stood back and let the other people off first. Yes it would.

This may wreck my green credentials, but I am really looking forward to going back to driving to work. It's taking me about 3.5 hours every day getting there and back. (Actually, the train journey as far as work is OK - being at the end of the line, I get a seat.)

As to the course, well there's people who will tell you there's a difference between testing the instructor's knowledge and making them look like an idiot. I don't draw a distinction myself.

Oh yeah, I am still intending to hit The Anchor on Friday. The train home goes via London Bridge so it would be extremely rude not to.

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Reasons to be not cheerful | 28 comments (28 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback

On a cheerful note... by Metatone (2.00 / 0) #1 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 02:38:54 PM EST

Vinokourov's A sample apparently shows he had a blood transfusion just before the time trial...

That reminds me by Herring (2.00 / 0) #3 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 02:46:06 PM EST

Instructor on the course started going on about balanced scorecards. With that and the TdF media speculation, I thought it was 1998 again.

At least when the Tories got in, they didn't say their priorities were "Mining, Mining, Mining" - Mark Steel
[ Parent ]

Sorry, the comment desrves a rating by Herring (2.00 / 0) #7 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 03:57:46 PM EST

but I can't being myself to.

I was really bloody enjoying this years tour. 4 brits looking to finish, the lad Contadoro looking like a future champion, Wiggins getting 5th in a time trial. And then Vino's victory yesterday was a thing. At the time.

I'll still watch the remaining stages, but most of the magic has gone. Apart from the lad in white.

At least when the Tories got in, they didn't say their priorities were "Mining, Mining, Mining" - Mark Steel
[ Parent ]

Yeah... by Metatone (2.00 / 0) #8 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 04:42:26 PM EST

I was pretty hacked off as the last few stages had just got me back into it (I missed most of the Alps for various reasons) and Contador still looks like he could give Rasmussen some trouble and I can even see the climbers totally flaking the final TT and Cadel taking advantage... but... well....blah.

[ Parent ]

Gentlemen by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #18 Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 05:10:01 AM EST

There's a Test series on. I trust perspective will recalibrate itself shortly.

----
Done.
[ Parent ]

: Tremlett's on human growth hormone? by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #20 Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 08:50:16 AM EST

Wouldn't surprise me at all.
The big question is, can Jimmy Anderson do anything when the sun is shining? Mind you that may be irrelevant to this series as it looks like a combination of heavy rain, drizzle and overcast skies are the extent of this year's British Summer...

[ Parent ]

Shop vac by wiredog (4.00 / 3) #2 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 02:42:50 PM EST

Take a shop vac with you. To remove any puddles left behind. Knock holes in the walls to allow them to drain. Any wet wallboard is ruined. Pull it down and toss it out. Ditto any particle board furniture, books, etc.

You want to get the place dried out, fast, before mold sets in. Once mold sets in all you can do burn it down. Well, it may be salvageable, but burning down is cheaper and easier.

I don't know about the UK, but in the US flood insurance is separate from regular insurance.

Earth First!
_{(We can strip mine the rest later.)}

Good thinking by Herring (2.00 / 0) #4 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 02:51:11 PM EST

There's a hire place around the corner from me. Reckon all the ones in Glos will be gone.

Most of the walls are cinderblock/brick so should be fine. There are a couple of plasterboard walls which will have damage at the bottom.

The problem is: what to do with the (surviving) furniture. We could take out the whole floor in one room (it's particle board on joists on concrete) and at least put it somewhere.

At least when the Tories got in, they didn't say their priorities were "Mining, Mining, Mining" - Mark Steel
[ Parent ]

what to do with the (surviving) furniture by wiredog (4.00 / 1) #5 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 03:04:35 PM EST

If it's dry, put it in storage until the house is fixed. If it got soaked, and it's wood, it's probably a total loss. The particle board floor is probably a total loss. Get an experienced engineer or contractor in to look for structural damage to those joists. They may be salvageable, depending on how wet they got, and for how long.

Look over any wiring that got wet to ensure it's completely dried out. Flush all the water lines.

One more thing: The water may have been contaminated with all sorts of nasty chemicals and raw sewage. Wear protective gear and a respirator when in that house.

Earth First!
_{(We can strip mine the rest later.)}
[ Parent ]

Purely river water by Herring (2.00 / 0) #6 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 03:19:27 PM EST

AFAIK. Worth checking though.

Floor joists ... well, I reckon a dead loss.

Putting the stuff into storage is the right thing to do, but storage and furniture transport are going to be im demand in that area right now.

To be honest, my priority is to get mum's piano onto a stable, dry surface before is goes through the particle-board floor.

At least when the Tories got in, they didn't say their priorities were "Mining, Mining, Mining" - Mark Steel
[ Parent ]

it started out as river water by clover kicker (4.00 / 1) #10 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 06:48:56 PM EST

Lord only knows what was in it after it left the banks.

[ Parent ]

: Knowing what's between them and the river by Herring (2.00 / 0) #13 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 07:24:27 PM EST

+ducks.

At least when the Tories got in, they didn't say their priorities were "Mining, Mining, Mining" - Mark Steel
[ Parent ]

shopvac by clover kicker (2.00 / 0) #9 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 06:48:06 PM EST

I'd just buy one, your parents can easily re-sell it to a neighbour when they're done with it, which might be after you go home.

[ Parent ]

De-humidifier by Phage (2.00 / 0) #17 Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 03:42:42 AM EST

We had a small flood whilst we were building. They builder put in an industrial dehumidifer which ran over night for a few weeks. Highly recommended, I would empty gallons out each morning from the collector.

The Czar of Accounting. No Nit Too Small To Pick
[ Parent ]

water damaged books by aphrael (2.00 / 0) #11 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 06:59:09 PM EST

water damaged books can be saved, but it's time consuming (if you do it yourself) and expensive (if you outsource it); stanford had to do this a few years back.

they should absolutely be removed from the site, even if you are trying to save them, and then (probably) dispatched to a specialist who deals in such problems.

your local library may be able to put you in touch with such a specialist.

If television is a babysitter, the internet is a drunk librarian who won't shut up.
[ Parent ]

flood insurance in the US by LilFlightTest (2.00 / 0) #15 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 08:24:05 PM EST

and if you live in a flood plain, you can't get flood insurance, even if there hasn't been a flood in decades.
---------
if de-virgination results in me being able to birth hammerhead sharks, SIGN ME UP!!! --misslake
[ Parent ]

: You can by wiredog (2.00 / 0) #19 Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 07:51:40 AM EST

IIRC, there's government supplied flood insurance. It just costs about 10% of the value of the house. Per year. Lots of earthquake insurance is like that.

Earth First!
_{(We can strip mine the rest later.)}
[ Parent ]

quick thoughts by clover kicker (4.00 / 1) #12 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 07:00:39 PM EST

Don't kill yourself trying to move a full room's worth of soggy carpet, slice it as small as you need to carry easily.

I don't know how well endowed you are with tools, rubber boots, cleaning supplies, etc. but you should probably make a list and buy it before you head home.

utility knife + blades: don't cheap out, spend the extra couple of bucks on something with a big, comfy handle.

hammer
wrecking bar/crowbar
rubber boots, preferably steel-toe and safety sole

bleach, soap, whatever
mop/bucket

Seconded about the knife by Cloaked User (2.00 / 0) #22 Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 07:00:24 PM EST

In this, as in so much of life, size really does matter - get a nice, big beefy one with plenty of replacement blades. Trying to force a small, blunt blade through stuff is a sure-fire way to waste time, effort and blood.

--
This is not a psychotic episode. It is a cleansing moment of clarity.
[ Parent ]

: product placement by clover kicker (2.00 / 0) #23 Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 07:49:38 PM EST

http://www.olfa.co.jp/en/body/detail/7.html
Me likey.

[ Parent ]

You know by Dr Thrustgood (2.00 / 0) #14 Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 07:37:42 PM EST

Ever since I became an earth-killing carbon-footprint monstrosity driver, I have decided that I'd much rather a journey take an extra half hour in my own comfort, than force myself into the shitty public transport.

It's just not right, is it?

number 3 by alprazolam (2.00 / 0) #16 Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 12:33:47 AM EST

what's up with those people? they do the same thing at elevators (errm lifts). and they don't realize that you get on the front of the bus and off at the rear door either. probably also the same people that have a conversation in the middle of a street, while still in their cars.

It could be worse by theboz (4.00 / 1) #21 Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 09:12:40 AM EST

Gum chewers in my face on the train

Perhaps earlier down the line, they had halitosis, and the people standing in front of them offered some gum to make things more pleasant.
- - - - -
That's what I always say about you, boz, you have a good memory for random facts about pussy. -- joh3n

Get the train to London by nebbish (2.00 / 0) #24 Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 04:45:53 AM EST

Then walk. The tube is horrible in rush hour.

--------
It's political correctness gone mad!

Not strictly tubing by Herring (2.00 / 0) #25 Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 07:29:19 AM EST

as it's Thameslink. But I have wondered how long it would take to walk here from London Bridge. Or how much a cab would be ...

At least when the Tories got in, they didn't say their priorities were "Mining, Mining, Mining" - Mark Steel
[ Parent ]

Where to where? by nebbish (2.00 / 0) #26 Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 07:35:37 AM EST

You'll be surprised if it's central London, probably won't take long at all.

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It's political correctness gone mad!
[ Parent ]

MY easiest London station to reach by Herring (2.00 / 0) #27 Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 02:35:32 PM EST

is London Bridge. Course is at Holborn Circus. But it's only one more day now.

At least when the Tories got in, they didn't say their priorities were "Mining, Mining, Mining" - Mark Steel
[ Parent ]

: Never mind by nebbish (2.00 / 0) #28 Fri Jul 27, 2007 at 05:12:03 AM EST

That's like a twenty minute walk
--------
It's political correctness gone mad!
[ Parent ]

Reasons to be not cheerful | 28 comments (28 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback