Sorry for spoiling the mood - the Coronation Chicken virus situation over here on the Continent appears to getting from bad to worse, peak in Continental WesShire is expected for mid to end of May only. Guess we'll batten down the hatches pretty fast.
Shall we start a 'Going Viral' kind of thread in All Saints, to bemoan the fact that everything used to be better when we were young(er), and for a little mutual support? Just wondering.
Yes, good idea.
We all have our worries over this.
I've started a thread here, called 'Going Viral'. - May God be with us, and good luck! <votive>
I’ve been a prepper for months (in case of a no-deal Brexshit) and have large stores of everything you could name. None panic bought, just slowly built up over the months and then used and replenished as things went out of date.
One tiny blip - my stores are in England and I’m in Germany with a growing chance of being stuck here!
Ah well, Mr Boogs and the dogs will be just fine! 😇😛
I've always been of the "Have enough supplies of all essentials for at least 2 -3 weeks in case of illness or other emergencies" frame of mind as well as always having been opportunistic about special offers which benefit this policy and am currently thanking myself as I am just ensuring my supplies are topped up rather worrying about having enough should I be quarantined. This is minimising my current time in supermarkets and shops very nicely.
Mind you, in my local supermarket the panic buying seems to have been in the biscuit aisles... the carnage of empty cardboard boxes on the floor was enough to have me muttering about trip hazards to Customer Services.
One of my students' mum and I are, however, both keeping an eagle eye out for my student's preferred bottle size of Full-Fat Coke (for hypo treatments). They are not only an unusual size but also have a short use-by date on them. They seem readily available on my side of the city but not their side! Currently, the need is low but you never can tell when we're going to get through several bottles in quick succession again. It's easy when that's happening to decant from a standard can into the correct size bottle, but I had quite a time the other day explaining to some of our less clued-up staff why just buying a 2l bottle and decanting into the small bottles isn't a goer when all is going well. Anyway, I'm buying the keep in college supplies and being refunded by a very grateful parent for the time being. Fortunately, my own keep in college emergency hypo supplies are the standard Full-Fat Coke cans and I'm willing to share!!
Off to collect my son from uni this morning. He’s supposed to be home for a month but has had the email advising to take all his books home as he will probably be working online for a while. We’ll empty half his room today (clothes, personal items) in case he doesn’t go back next term.
[...] One of my students' mum and I are, however, both keeping an eagle eye out for my student's preferred bottle size of Full-Fat Coke (for hypo treatments). [...]
Forgive me: what are hypo treatments, and what exactly are college emergency hypo supplies? Enquiring mind wants to know!
I have a peculiar mental glitch which means that anything I have bought, like Japes, for "just in case" stores, gets somehow defined as stores which are not actually for use. I can't use them unless the emergency definitely happens. So the stuff for when we got snowed in hung around until time expired. This works on dried stuff, tinned stuff, stuff in the freezer, whatever. I have managed to overcome it with regard to the soup from leftover veg in the freezer so I have room for the proper frozen veg. Which I can then draw on when we get the curfew imposed. I have also overcome it with regard to the bread mixes - though they needed extra yeast. New bought yeast. The yeast in the stores was dead. I have got to get over this and have empty cupboards.
Would it help to have dedicated storage space labelled 'Stuff Which Must Be Used In The Next 4 Weeks'? Then every time you use an item, another gets promoted to fill its place. It could throw up some interesting meal ideas.
PS I need to do this. Those tins of cassoulet I bought in France two years ago....
[...] One of my students' mum and I are, however, both keeping an eagle eye out for my student's preferred bottle size of Full-Fat Coke (for hypo treatments). [...]
Forgive me: what are hypo treatments, and what exactly are college emergency hypo supplies? Enquiring mind wants to know!
And enquiring mind shall have the explanation! @WesleyJ
I have Type 1 diabetes as does my student and we are insulin-dependent. Hypos (low blood sugars) occur when the balance of insulin, carbohydrates and, in both our cases, physical activity gets out of synch.
We treat hypos with a certain amount of fast-acting carbs (sugary drinks or Dextro tablets) sit quietly, wait 15 minutes or so, retest and if up above a certain amount, then have a small slow-acting carby snack to keep our blood sugars up. We both have slightly different routines and preferences at this point!
Therefore, we both keep emergency supplies of fast-acting carbs (sugary drinks or Dextro tablets) and slow-acting carby snacks (particular brands of biscuits for my student, fruit bars for me) for treating hypos (low blood sugars) in our classroom at college in addition to all our diabetes supplies in our clearly identifiable bags. Student goes nowhere in the college day without The Bag. I go nowhere without my bag and spare emergency supplies for Student.
I don't always follow up the fast-acting carbs with a slow-acting carb snack as is generally advised as it will depend on what's happening in the next hour or so in the way of a meal or exercise, but I have a protocol for my student which has to be adhered to so. If the student is not hypo in the half an hour before going home, but is below a certain number on the blood test, there will also be a couple of biscuits consumed. There is much disappointment if the numbers say "No biscuits." I then have to do my own test for the student's entertainment and gleeful pronouncing that I can't have any biscuits either! I would have to seriously miscalculate my insulin for lunch to need biscuits at that point, but my student is considerably more active than me after lunch.
It's fair to say dealing with this all the time has over-developed my emergency planning skills. It's also fair to say if I've overstocked on anything, it's my Dextro tablets supplies and fruit bars.
My sister bought a couple of tinned things yesterday, in the spirit of "just in case", but neither of us has really gone into full-on hoarding mode. Perhaps we should ...
I nearly had a lunch date today: an organist friend, who I really only know through Cathedral Organists' Association things, is doing music examining in Glasgow and sent me a message saying he was free today, and could come through to Edinburgh on the train. We were on the verge of making final arrangements to meet, but he took cold feet, explaining that he'd promised his wife (who's got Health Issues) that he'd stay in his hotel except for when he had to be out, and would avoid crowds.
I don't blame him in the least: it seems to me that taking sensible precautions like that may be the way to beat this thing. He reckons it's quite likely that the exam session will be abandoned anyway, if directions from On High get any more draconian.
PS - cross-posted with Japes - thanks for the explanation! I'd heard of the sugar tablets and biscuits for diabetic incidents, but not the Coke thing, but now you explain it, it makes sense.
I’m coming home on Monday. I’ve just rebooked, Lufthansa are giving full refunds. Mr Boogs is coming out on Tuesday so he doesn’t miss seeing Anuka if all is shut down.
He’s happier than me to be stuck here and would rather not be stuck with the dogs!
About ten years ago I broke my foot, couldn't drive, and realized how low some of my food supplies were. Friends were wonderful (despite it happening over Christmas), but ever since then I've made sure that I had enough food (and dog food!) to get through at least a couple of weeks.
Glad things are working out, Boogie. And I know there will be two very happy doggies to greet you when you get home.
This morning we drove up to Majestic to buy wine and I nipped into the small Sainsbury's for the paper. As expected, there was no toilet paper, but what surprised me was there was very little fresh produce - are people stockpiling vegetables?
Plenty of fruit and veg in our Sainsbury’s this afternoon, it was the toilet paper, non perishables and soap shelves that were empty. Absolutely empty, apart from rather a lot of packets of green pea pasta. Quite interesting to see what no-one wants.
We are planning lentil soup for one day next week and had wanted lentils, to no avail. But we did find some in the local health food shop.
Or stay - would there be other people likely to touch the ticket after her?
I've no idea, and am not sure what difference that would make? She's since posted a picture on Facebook of a blocked toilet in her house, with the lighthearted comment that it's been like that for three days, and I feel like putting the comment that I'd be more worried about that than about touching tickets at a leisure centre! I probably need to give social media a break and stop being such a grumpy old woman.
Glad you have a plan for the way forward, Boogie. I have moderate stocks of things (and always plenty of toilet paper as that's something I never want to run out of) but I'm determined to be a bit more organised about it in future and use and replenish stocks as you have. My stores are a bit haphazard but as long as the family are ok for two weeks on lentils, baked beans and tinned tomatoes we should be fine.
Speaking of stocking up: I've just discovered that I've got quite a few bottles of HP Sauce (albeit, as we know, now made in the Netherlands), so that should help me to survive for a couple of months.
Another beautiful, sunny day here, below 0C° at night and with probably up to 16C° later, not too dissimilar for the rest of the week, perfect for an amble, as Piglet would say - and do!
Just having breakfast, trying out some veggie fillets (half price ), and watching ITV 3's 'Great Estates of Scotland', which makes for pleasant viewing; also, it keeps me on my toes, whatwith the constant commercial breaks, but luckily I can fastforward to the next bit of the programme. - Whatever people may say about Auntie Beeb (is it still Auntie these days I wonder?): the fact that there are no commercials in the programmes really is a great thing and makes for uninterrupted viewing. I must say I am a bit annoyed though as a couple of years ago the continuity people started talking over the end titles and music of a film. That's just plain rude, and is not approved by me!
Wishing a lovely and blesséd Sunday to all, whether preparing for kirk and crisis, or just enjoying the big and small outdoors!
No 1 son is now home (presumably for the duration) and I must say that I am much relieved. The house is far more noisy now, though!
Church this morning (sans coffee and communion) and then we will probably do some gardening. Board games later I think, though the 3 males of the household spent yesterday playing on the VR headset so that might be repeated.
I've just ordered a load of wool. If I end up stuck indoors for weeks making a blanket will keep me busy, as will reading all the books I haven't and meant to. Also my Italian might be half way decent by the time I can actually go there again.
It looks like a weekend away with friends in April will be postponed and I have my doubts about a weekend away the week after next. Assuming we can get there, I think everything we'd be dong, such as going to a show will be off. I've also been asked to pay the balance of a holiday by next Friday. It's somewhere, that as far as I know, hasn't had any cases of the virus yet, but I doubt they will want British people turning up. I'm expecting another email from the company before then, but if not will probably cancel.
In the meantime I'm carrying on as normal. Off to church today, where we've not been shaking hands for a couple of weeks and communion is in the hand. The priest practically flung the host at me last week, which is very odd behaviour in a Catholic church. I quite expect services will be cancelled very shortly, I certainly can't imagine the full range of Easter ones going ahead.
It's a slightly blowy day here, but seems to be dry (after tipping it down last night). We're meeting up with my brother in the afternoon for an amble: I really ought to get myself some welly boots, as most of the ambles round these parts are very muddy.
Dealt with a non-plague-related crisis this morning! What a lovely novelty. No power in the second of my churches, high means no lights, microphone, heating or coffee. So that got I’d of the coffee question. I found myself urging people to come and sit at the front in one breath and then reminding them to leave an empty seat between them in the next! Warming up now.
If you go to a hardware shop (or if your supermarket caters to the old-fashioned you might be able to get bars of traditional washing soap.
Supermarkets catering to those of South Asian origin are good for these - the local one I normally use has several different versions of Pears, not just the normal orange one.
Quite something, Cathscats! I hope everyone is all right now, and the power gets fixed. Yes, it can still be quite chilly, despite the occasional spring-like sunshine.
For reasons I need not go into, Mr RoS uses the loo in the bathroom, and I use the one in the ensuite.
Yesterday I noticed that toilet paper in the bathroom was being used up rather more quickly than usual. On being challenged about it, Mr RoS admitted that he has been using it for blowing his nose, instead of using paper hankies. Perhaps the rest of the populace are doing the same?
Not me, 'though, it makes my nose sore!
I quite expect services will be cancelled very shortly, I certainly can't imagine the full range of Easter ones going ahead.
Our Place usually has two morning services and an evening one, and it was announced this morning that from next week we'll be going to one morning one and no evenings until further notice. We also had communion with wafers which I think was a first for us, being Baptists and all. We were quite low on numbers in the first service, but pretty much the same people headed off to the coffee shop afterwards.
I'm hoping fewer services will mean less work for our hard-pressed ministers (of all denominations), Easter being such a busy time, but if there are plans afoot to do things virtually that'll be hard work too.
We've tidied up the garden area at Our Place, and I hope to put down some grass seed soon. The pre-school Nursery has had to use a different part of the garden recently, and the Small ElephantsPeople have made quite an impression...
I bought seeds a few weeks ago for quick summer veg, lettuce, spinach, parsley etc.
Our large (NF) church this morning suggested we might be going down the house groups route of small groups meeting together locally if our services are closed down, as we currently have a couple of hundred at each service. Nothing confirmed yet though.
I hope you will get to connect with your son and family on Skype or facetime, although it’s not the same I know.
In some ways I am lucky to living alone, and being able to work at home. But I had the realisation today that with the coming measures and the end of handshakes (let alone hugs!) it might be many months before another human being touches me. That made me feel more lonely than usual, I have to admit.
On the plus side, several of the neighbours’ cats have recently taken up visiting my garden, so maybe I will partially adopt a pet... (or do I mean: a cat will acquire a new member of staff?!)
I hope your dogs will be pleased to see you when you get home (I am sure they will) and will keep you happily distracted - as well as keeping the rest of us cheerful with the lovely pictures
I hope you will get to connect with your son and family on Skype or facetime, although it’s not the same I know.
In some ways I am lucky to living alone, and being able to work at home. But I had the realisation today that with the coming measures and the end of handshakes (let alone hugs!) it might be many months before another human being touches me. That made me feel more lonely than usual, I have to admit.
Ditto @Cameron. Not least because the person I most long to have touch me is in the USA. And then there's my mum.....
It's a slightly blowy day here, but seems to be dry ...
Er ... no it wasn't ...
We met up with my brother as arranged, but as we walked along the lovely riverbank at Cramond, the heavens opened, so we went into a little cafe for coffee and shelter. We carried on along a bit, and on the way back, the heavens opened again, in earnest this time, so we went into the Cramond Inn for some more refreshment and shelter ...
Blue skies, brights sunshine, pleasantly warm with a light breeze here, so I managed to get two lines of washing dried. As the usual blustery wind from the channel is absent and the tide was out I took a brisk walk along the undercliff.
Thought it best to take advantage of the fine weather, and get out and about before we oldies are all put under house arrest!
It's a scary thought, isn't it? I'm not old enough to fall under the curfew, but I don't like the idea of it.
In other news, I've started applying for jobs; I'd almost forgotten what a tedious pain in the arse it is, especially using a Mac laptop, where things are Not Where I Want Them To Be, and the cursor* randomly takes off and lands in the middle of another word.
I've also, on my brother's advice, arranged to look at a flat: it looks like almost exactly what I want, and I could (just) afford to buy it outright. His theory is that if I buy somewhere, and don't find a job straight away, I may be entitled to benefits as I'd have less ready cash.
* I wonder if the name derives from the quality of language that issues from the users of computers ...
In other news, I've started applying for jobs; I'd almost forgotten what a tedious pain in the arse it is, especially using a Mac laptop, where things are Not Where I Want Them To Be, and the cursor* randomly takes off and lands in the middle of another word.
I've also, on my brother's advice, arranged to look at a flat: it looks like almost exactly what I want, and I could (just) afford to buy it outright. His theory is that if I buy somewhere, and don't find a job straight away, I may be entitled to benefits as I'd have less ready cash.
* I wonder if the name derives from the quality of language that issues from the users of computers ...
Hope the flat and job hunting goes well!
IANAComputer Expert, but if you're using a mouse, the battery might need changing. I've found that, if the little battery thingy is wearing out, the cursor will sometimes not go where it's wanted.
I'm sure you're right about the subsequent Langwidge, and the derivation of the word 'cursor'...
It doesn't have a mouse - just one of those horrid little finger pad thingies.
The flat was sort of OK (the kitchen was really rather nice), but tbh I think it needed more TLC than I could afford to give it: the floorboards sounded deeply iffy, I'd have had to install a shower (there are no words for how much I hate baths) and the boiler was in a rather odd place, which my brother and sister reckoned was probably against building regulations, as it wasn't vented to an outside wall.
It was kind of a shame, as it was quite close in to the city, and most of the places I could afford are, if not exactly out in the sticks, then not far from it.
It's hard getting used to that, Piglet. I think you need to get used to keeping your thumb from brushing the trackpad. You should also be able to make it less sensitive, but I don't have a Mac at hand to tell you what to look for.
Comments
I've started a thread here, called 'Going Viral'. - May God be with us, and good luck! <votive>
One tiny blip - my stores are in England and I’m in Germany with a growing chance of being stuck here!
Ah well, Mr Boogs and the dogs will be just fine! 😇😛
Mind you, in my local supermarket the panic buying seems to have been in the biscuit aisles... the carnage of empty cardboard boxes on the floor was enough to have me muttering about trip hazards to Customer Services.
One of my students' mum and I are, however, both keeping an eagle eye out for my student's preferred bottle size of Full-Fat Coke (for hypo treatments). They are not only an unusual size but also have a short use-by date on them. They seem readily available on my side of the city but not their side! Currently, the need is low but you never can tell when we're going to get through several bottles in quick succession again. It's easy when that's happening to decant from a standard can into the correct size bottle, but I had quite a time the other day explaining to some of our less clued-up staff why just buying a 2l bottle and decanting into the small bottles isn't a goer when all is going well. Anyway, I'm buying the keep in college supplies and being refunded by a very grateful parent for the time being. Fortunately, my own keep in college emergency hypo supplies are the standard Full-Fat Coke cans and I'm willing to share!!
PS I need to do this. Those tins of cassoulet I bought in France two years ago....
And enquiring mind shall have the explanation! @WesleyJ
I have Type 1 diabetes as does my student and we are insulin-dependent. Hypos (low blood sugars) occur when the balance of insulin, carbohydrates and, in both our cases, physical activity gets out of synch.
We treat hypos with a certain amount of fast-acting carbs (sugary drinks or Dextro tablets) sit quietly, wait 15 minutes or so, retest and if up above a certain amount, then have a small slow-acting carby snack to keep our blood sugars up. We both have slightly different routines and preferences at this point!
Therefore, we both keep emergency supplies of fast-acting carbs (sugary drinks or Dextro tablets) and slow-acting carby snacks (particular brands of biscuits for my student, fruit bars for me) for treating hypos (low blood sugars) in our classroom at college in addition to all our diabetes supplies in our clearly identifiable bags. Student goes nowhere in the college day without The Bag. I go nowhere without my bag and spare emergency supplies for Student.
I don't always follow up the fast-acting carbs with a slow-acting carb snack as is generally advised as it will depend on what's happening in the next hour or so in the way of a meal or exercise, but I have a protocol for my student which has to be adhered to so. If the student is not hypo in the half an hour before going home, but is below a certain number on the blood test, there will also be a couple of biscuits consumed. There is much disappointment if the numbers say "No biscuits." I then have to do my own test for the student's entertainment and gleeful pronouncing that I can't have any biscuits either! I would have to seriously miscalculate my insulin for lunch to need biscuits at that point, but my student is considerably more active than me after lunch.
It's fair to say dealing with this all the time has over-developed my emergency planning skills. It's also fair to say if I've overstocked on anything, it's my Dextro tablets supplies and fruit bars.
I nearly had a lunch date today: an organist friend, who I really only know through Cathedral Organists' Association things, is doing music examining in Glasgow and sent me a message saying he was free today, and could come through to Edinburgh on the train. We were on the verge of making final arrangements to meet, but he took cold feet, explaining that he'd promised his wife (who's got Health Issues) that he'd stay in his hotel except for when he had to be out, and would avoid crowds.
I don't blame him in the least: it seems to me that taking sensible precautions like that may be the way to beat this thing. He reckons it's quite likely that the exam session will be abandoned anyway, if directions from On High get any more draconian.
PS - cross-posted with Japes - thanks for the explanation! I'd heard of the sugar tablets and biscuits for diabetic incidents, but not the Coke thing, but now you explain it, it makes sense.
I’m coming home on Monday. I’ve just rebooked, Lufthansa are giving full refunds. Mr Boogs is coming out on Tuesday so he doesn’t miss seeing Anuka if all is shut down.
He’s happier than me to be stuck here and would rather not be stuck with the dogs!
I’m trying to carry on as normal, with lots more added hand washing.
Glad things are working out, Boogie. And I know there will be two very happy doggies to greet you when you get home.
We are planning lentil soup for one day next week and had wanted lentils, to no avail. But we did find some in the local health food shop.
MMM
I've no idea, and am not sure what difference that would make? She's since posted a picture on Facebook of a blocked toilet in her house, with the lighthearted comment that it's been like that for three days, and I feel like putting the comment that I'd be more worried about that than about touching tickets at a leisure centre! I probably need to give social media a break and stop being such a grumpy old woman.
Glad you have a plan for the way forward, Boogie. I have moderate stocks of things (and always plenty of toilet paper as that's something I never want to run out of) but I'm determined to be a bit more organised about it in future and use and replenish stocks as you have. My stores are a bit haphazard but as long as the family are ok for two weeks on lentils, baked beans and tinned tomatoes we should be fine.
May be the reason for stocking up on toilet paper.
Indeed.
Another beautiful, sunny day here, below 0C° at night and with probably up to 16C° later, not too dissimilar for the rest of the week, perfect for an amble, as Piglet would say - and do!
Just having breakfast, trying out some veggie fillets (half price
Wishing a lovely and blesséd Sunday to all, whether preparing for kirk and crisis, or just enjoying the big and small outdoors!
Church this morning (sans coffee and communion) and then we will probably do some gardening. Board games later I think, though the 3 males of the household spent yesterday playing on the VR headset so that might be repeated.
It looks like a weekend away with friends in April will be postponed and I have my doubts about a weekend away the week after next. Assuming we can get there, I think everything we'd be dong, such as going to a show will be off. I've also been asked to pay the balance of a holiday by next Friday. It's somewhere, that as far as I know, hasn't had any cases of the virus yet, but I doubt they will want British people turning up. I'm expecting another email from the company before then, but if not will probably cancel.
In the meantime I'm carrying on as normal. Off to church today, where we've not been shaking hands for a couple of weeks and communion is in the hand. The priest practically flung the host at me last week, which is very odd behaviour in a Catholic church. I quite expect services will be cancelled very shortly, I certainly can't imagine the full range of Easter ones going ahead.
Supermarkets catering to those of South Asian origin are good for these - the local one I normally use has several different versions of Pears, not just the normal orange one.
Yesterday I noticed that toilet paper in the bathroom was being used up rather more quickly than usual. On being challenged about it, Mr RoS admitted that he has been using it for blowing his nose, instead of using paper hankies. Perhaps the rest of the populace are doing the same?
Not me, 'though, it makes my nose sore!
Our Place usually has two morning services and an evening one, and it was announced this morning that from next week we'll be going to one morning one and no evenings until further notice. We also had communion with wafers which I think was a first for us, being Baptists and all. We were quite low on numbers in the first service, but pretty much the same people headed off to the coffee shop afterwards.
I'm hoping fewer services will mean less work for our hard-pressed ministers (of all denominations), Easter being such a busy time, but if there are plans afoot to do things virtually that'll be hard work too.
In other news, it's cold but no longer raining.
🙂
We've tidied up the garden area at Our Place, and I hope to put down some grass seed soon. The pre-school Nursery has had to use a different part of the garden recently, and the Small ElephantsPeople have made quite an impression...
Our large (NF) church this morning suggested we might be going down the house groups route of small groups meeting together locally if our services are closed down, as we currently have a couple of hundred at each service. Nothing confirmed yet though.
I’m so sad tonight.
I’ve just said goodbye to my son and family and I’ve no idea when I will see them again.
We were coming in April for a week for DILs birthday and had booked a house in Berlin for us all to have a holiday together in May.
We are rather wondering whether LL will have a graduation ceremony at all...
It really does, doesn’t it.
I hope you will get to connect with your son and family on Skype or facetime, although it’s not the same I know.
In some ways I am lucky to living alone, and being able to work at home. But I had the realisation today that with the coming measures and the end of handshakes (let alone hugs!) it might be many months before another human being touches me. That made me feel more lonely than usual, I have to admit.
On the plus side, several of the neighbours’ cats have recently taken up visiting my garden, so maybe I will partially adopt a pet... (or do I mean: a cat will acquire a new member of staff?!)
I hope your dogs will be pleased to see you when you get home (I am sure they will) and will keep you happily distracted - as well as keeping the rest of us cheerful with the lovely pictures
Ditto @Cameron. Not least because the person I most long to have touch me is in the USA. And then there's my mum.....
Such a worrying time for you, and the isolation makes everything tougher. I hope your mum is getting good treatment and will be OK.
Things feel very uncertain at present and constantly changing.
We met up with my brother as arranged, but as we walked along the lovely riverbank at Cramond, the heavens opened, so we went into a little cafe for coffee and shelter. We carried on along a bit, and on the way back, the heavens opened again, in earnest this time, so we went into the Cramond Inn for some more refreshment and shelter ...
It was a nice way to spend the afternoon though.
In the Sad Southlands, O'erwhelmed With Shade, it's actually quite a pleasant day - sunny, mild, and conducive to the Wash Ing.
Thought it best to take advantage of the fine weather, and get out and about before we oldies are all put under house arrest!
In other news, I've started applying for jobs; I'd almost forgotten what a tedious pain in the arse it is, especially using a Mac laptop, where things are Not Where I Want Them To Be, and the cursor* randomly takes off and lands in the middle of another word.
I've also, on my brother's advice, arranged to look at a flat: it looks like almost exactly what I want, and I could (just) afford to buy it outright. His theory is that if I buy somewhere, and don't find a job straight away, I may be entitled to benefits as I'd have less ready cash.
* I wonder if the name derives from the quality of language that issues from the users of computers ...
Hope the flat and job hunting goes well!
IANAComputer Expert, but if you're using a mouse, the battery might need changing. I've found that, if the little battery thingy is wearing out, the cursor will sometimes not go where it's wanted.
I'm sure you're right about the subsequent Langwidge, and the derivation of the word 'cursor'...
The flat was sort of OK (the kitchen was really rather nice), but tbh I think it needed more TLC than I could afford to give it: the floorboards sounded deeply iffy, I'd have had to install a shower (there are no words for how much I hate baths) and the boiler was in a rather odd place, which my brother and sister reckoned was probably against building regulations, as it wasn't vented to an outside wall.
It was kind of a shame, as it was quite close in to the city, and most of the places I could afford are, if not exactly out in the sticks, then not far from it.