What's made your day today?

[David L]

Things are due to get even worse for those of us that have been responsible and do not rely on state handouts, I fear.

[The Picnic Wasp]

Things are due to get even worse for those of us that have been responsible and do not rely on state handouts, I fear.

It's the way the benefits system is run which is the issue. I consider myself responsible. Worked for 42 years, paid tax and NI as well as private and company pension schemes, but when hit by illness at age 60 which prevented me working it was a real struggle to squeeze anything out the system.

Sure, I got ESA soon after applying, but everyone gets that fairly easily. However, it took me over a year and two tribunals to receive any additional help and even then it was at the lower end of the scale.

When you apply for what used to be PIP in Scotland you have to fill out massive forms for consideration. Any award is based on a score system. From memory I think the highest you can score is 106. I scored zero!!! I have two fairly serous conditions, detailed in full, and I got zero and zero again on appeal.

The judge at my first tribunal was very helpful and adjourned the hearing as my GP (or his staff) refused to supply medical records. He advised me to insist as it was my legal right. At the second tribunal it became fairly clear I was being listened to and as I expected I later received assistance.

It's maddening when I hear examples of folk receiving benefits for just turning up and asking. Maybe these cases are exaggerated but looking at the government welfare spending it's probably fairly accurate.

[Thenop]

Dentist offer is in, why not in the grumpy thread despite the 5500 EUR pricetag? Well, firstly because the insurance pays for some of it, but also because I am really looking forward to be able to eat normal things like a normal human being again.

My teeth have always been bad, terrible even, due to no fault of my own. Just bad luck. I can brush and brush, no joy. So it needs work, and some radical at that. So on with some extractions of what were once molars on Thursday next, puttng in various crowns and more fun stuff.

Believe it or not, I am happy about the whole process. Never been scared of any dentist, that helps.

Considered bumping it to Grumpers, but won't do it. Turned out molar nr4 was unsalvageble so it was 4 extractions instead of 3, spent a good 75 mins in the chair and have 7 stitches. Bit painful now, sore of course.
That'll pass. It's the start of new dental work though, so that is good news.

Next visit: one more taken out, this time the other side. Bascailly lower jars are gutted expect for 1 molar and the teeth.
In 2 weeks we start demolition works for the upper jaw, at least 2 need to go out, but I am expecting it'll be ore like 4. Over 2 visits though, not doing the pull 4-in-1-go again. Was a bit much. 

[The Picnic Wasp]

Dentist offer is in, why not in the grumpy thread despite the 5500 EUR pricetag? Well, firstly because the insurance pays for some of it, but also because I am really looking forward to be able to eat normal things like a normal human being again.

My teeth have always been bad, terrible even, due to no fault of my own. Just bad luck. I can brush and brush, no joy. So it needs work, and some radical at that. So on with some extractions of what were once molars on Thursday next, puttng in various crowns and more fun stuff.

Believe it or not, I am happy about the whole process. Never been scared of any dentist, that helps.

Considered bumping it to Grumpers, but won't do it. Turned out molar nr4 was unsalvageble so it was 4 extractions instead of 3, spent a good 75 mins in the chair and have 7 stitches. Bit painful now, sore of course.
That'll pass. It's the start of new dental work though, so that is good news.

Next visit: one more taken out, this time the other side. Bascailly lower jars are gutted expect for 1 molar and the teeth.
In 2 weeks we start demolition works for the upper jaw, at least 2 need to go out, but I am expecting it'll be ore like 4. Over 2 visits though, not doing the pull 4-in-1-go again. Was a bit much. 

Hitting the like button seemed a bit bizarre, Nop, but you seem to be handling all this pretty well.

I can't remember what you said the final outcome would be. Will you have implants or some kind of dentures? I'm tempted to go for implants for the missing one on each side of my bottom jaw molars. I think the gaps are causing me to bite my tongue more than is normal, but I don't know how quickly jaw bone heals in your mid sixties.

Glad the work is moving along and the finish line approaches quickly so that sourdough can be consumed without fear.

[Thenop]

Hitting the like button seemed a bit bizarre, Nop, but you seem to be handling all this pretty well.

I can't remember what you said the final outcome would be. Will you have implants or some kind of dentures. I'm tempted to go for implants for the missing one on each side of my bottom jaw molars. I think the gaps are causing me to bite my tongue more than is normal, but I don't know how quickly jaw bone heals in the your mid sixties.

Glad the work is moving along and the finish line approaches quickly so that sourdough can be consumed without fear.

Not doing the implants (yet). It is simply too much work, I would need 7 alone in the lower jaw. It's going to be a frame, so dentures at least for the time being.
I am just glad I will be able to chew again like a normal person. And just today decided to not let financial implications hinder me, gong full steam ahead withbthe upper jaw as well. Insurance only covers a X amount a year so it'll be a bit more expensive but I want to get it over with.

[Matt2112]

Seven! Wow.

I'm in the process of having two fitted (last appointment is mid-August) and that's been more than enough hassle.

[captainkurtz]

That sounds really rough...I hope the next session goes well for you, Sir.

[Slim]

Another fete on the village green today, this time with a flyover by a BBMF Spitfire.

Highslide Image Viewer

Highslide Image Viewer

Highslide Image Viewer


Not sure I used the right lens really but it was nice to see anyway. It was this one:

https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/news/spitfire-ab910-flies-again/

[David L]

We are currently watching the TdF live.

Yesterday, we decided to explore the only easy way for this to happen, by upgrading our current 'no frills' TV package.

I called BT around 10:00am and spoke with Sandra in the Glasgow office. All seemed extremely straightforward, too straightforward tbh. We thought we would pay the extra for TNT Sports if we were able to easily cancel later (after the tour).

Well, it turned out to be way cheaper than expected as I was advised not to add TNT on but to cancel our current package at £16.99 and replace with a package for £20.99 that included TNT. Not only was it only £4:00 extra but they could also increase my BB speed for the same price as my current deal. We were desperate to catch yesterday's stage and were assured that the new service would be activated in time for us to do this (12:30pm yesterday).

Anyway, surprise, surprise, it didn't happen. So, I called BT again and was told that the activation date was today....bugger!

Well, it has been activated today even though I keep getting texts about my fault. I think this relates to the bandwidth upgrade but who knows. I was assured that there would be no interruption to my service but that's probably a lie too!

So, fingers crossed for the time being. At the moment, enjoying the live coverage.

[Nickslikk2112]

At the moment, enjoying the live coverage.

But did you enjoy it when they were bigging up the EU? Even the Crim Robbie McEwen.

[David L]

At the moment, enjoying the live coverage.

But did you enjoy it when they were bigging up the EU? Even the Crim Robbie McEwen.

No. Ridiculously unnecessary and provocative comments. And very strange for someone from a country that was able to effectively halt unwanted immigration. Would he like Australia to be bossed by Jakarta? I don't think so - idiot.

[Nickslikk2112]

Robbie's normally the one who speaks sense. I wonder if he's taken out Belgian citizenship as that's where his wife's from.

[David L]

Robbie's normally the one who speaks sense. I wonder if he's taken out Belgian citizenship as that's where his wife's from.

Ah, his wife is Belgian is she? He's probably been 'forced' to drink the Kool-Aid then.

[dom]

He's right and it's the brexiteers knocking back the Kool-aid but he shouldn't be discussing it on a sports show

[Nickslikk2112]

Rob Hatch's fault, he was saying how good it was that Catalans both side of the France/Spain border can shop so easily on both sides. Yet all show he'd been bigging up Catalan independence then advocates that they should love being under the EU yoke. Rank hypocrisy.