(no subject)

[turps]

Thank you turlough and Lancecat, for the Easter Card. It was a very lovely surprise ♥

Murphy had a bit of a traumatic day yesterday. We'd been grocery shopping on the afternoon, and while unpacking he jumped into the empty freezer bag we'd been using. Except, when he jumped out he managed to get the handle stuck on his head and then spent a few frantic minutes running full speed around the house being chased by a big silver bag. Poor thing just went and hid when I eventually got him unattached. Then in the evening, he decided to gnaw at my mesh bath sponge and got mesh stuck in his teeth. That took James holding him and me having to ease mesh from his pointy little teeth. And now I have to hide the sponge in a drawer.

We'd gone to Company for our shopping. A lot of restaurants/cafes etc have been donating the stock they can't use and yesterday Company was selling boxes of ready-cooked poached eggs. They're so weird looking, each egg in a little plastic packet and you heat them in the microwave or in water, and amazingly they still have a runny yolk when cut. The queue wasn't that bad, about 30-minute wait to get in, but when we got to the front the security guard apologised, said he hadn't seen James and next time he had to go straight to the front and would be let in. The same security guard told us the same last time we were there, but James refused then as we were only 3 from the front at that time. But this time the guard insisted that we go to the front on our next visit, then said the same when we were leaving. While it's great Company have that policy for disabled customers, I suspect mental daggers will be thrown at our backs, especially as at busy times the queue has been well over an hour.

I'm in the training part of a new home test and it's a step up from the last one and I'm having to learn how to do a few new to me things. Thankfully I have the time to put in and a patient team lead who's had to walk me through the basics. It should be a nice pay off though if I can crack it. Not as nice as the last one but another chip at the vet bill. I was lucky with that one as I got a few extra slots to test after the main group as they needed extra testing with people with my specific accent. I assume the app wasn't coping with our Mackem accents very well, no idea why though as it's delightful *g*

I'm still working through the shows I've got recorded and have finally seen to the end of Gotham. I'll miss it, it was never a big favourite of mine but it was entertaining enough and I enjoyed seeing the take on all the old familiar characters.

Comments

[dine]

poor traumatized Murphy! looks like that old saw about curiosity may be true :)

Company sounds like a great resource - and the guard is obviously serious about you James heading to the front of the line. but I admit the notion of ready-cooked poached eggs is odd; but I bet that would be marvellous to have at hand.

[turps]

I'd like to say Murphy has learned his lesson, but he's still as daft, and as curious, as ever.

The guard was adamant that next time we have to straight to the front. Which admittedly would make things much easier in terms of waiting time, but still feels a little wrong at the same time.

I can't make a good poached egg at all, so these ready-made ones are great. They look like the ones that you can pick as part of your Subway salad, but how they keep the runny yolk I don't know.

[dine]

I'm also a failure at poaching eggs. when I was younger (back in the 70s), mom had a little poaching machine - a small round bit of equipment with a non-stick insert for four eggs. you put water in the bottom, set the eggy insert in, put the top on and set it for hardness level before pushing the button. I wonder if that sort of thing is available now? I should look and see, because I can totally see getting myself one if so

[turps]

That poaching machine sounds fantastic and easy to use which is a bonus.

Nanna could make beautiful poached eggs by swirling boiling water in a pan and dropping the egg into the dip. But when I try I end up with a pan of horrible water filled with eggy strands. I obviously haven't inherited the knack.

[dine]

I poked about online and couldn't find anything that looked similar. too bad, because it was easy to use and the eggs were good - I know mom would more often fix eggs for breakfast than try to poach them the traditional way (like your Nanna) - I never got that knack, though my grandma could turn out great eggs

[pensnest]

If James wears his work uniform, people in the queue will probably ask him to go ahead! At least, if there's any indication on it what he does. So you won't need to feel guilty—not that you should, but there it is.

Pre-poached eggs... what an interesting thought.

Poor Murphy! I remember Socks getting a plastic carrier bag tangled round her tail, and she was quite terrified of this nasty, noisy thing following her. It'll be interesting to learn whether Murphy is a smart cat who will learn from the experience, or a soft cat who won't.

[turps]

Normally wearing his uniform would be an excellent idea, but you can only be a member of Company Shop if you work for the NHS so wouldn't apply in this case. Which is a shame as I'm sure it would work.

Though you just reminded me of something I have to work out. I've been sorting out wardrobes and have two different old uniforms of his to get rid of somehow, multiple sets of each. As they're branded with the NHS and Ambulance service logo they can't be recycled or go to charity. It feels wrong to throw them away, but it's going to be that or using them for cloths.

I remain amazed at the pre-poached eggs. Like I was saying to Dine, I've never been able to poach an egg nicely, so these are great.

It'll be interesting to learn whether Murphy is a smart cat who will learn from the experience, or a soft cat who won't.

Poor Socks, that sounds very similar to Murphy's experience. I suspect he'll be a soft cat though, and no doubt keep on jumping places he shouldn't.

[turlough]

It's arrived!! I know I mailed that card a little late but was still hoping it would arrive before Easter but late is still better than never :-) Isn't the Easter witch cute?!

Aww, poor Murphy! So many fascinating things that turn out to be scary. It sounds like not even a complete childproofing would help against his inquisitiveness! Hopefully he'll learn at least a little from these experiences :-)

Queueing up for shopping sounds no fun at all. I'm glad we don't have to do that. (At least not yet!)

Good luck with that test! And I completely agree, your accent is totally charming!

[turps]

We're only getting mail about once a week right now, so normally it would have arrived on time I'm sure. The Easter witch is fabulous, what a great tradition and story, and one I'd never heard of before. Thank you again!

I'm sure Murphy will learn eventually, just, he's full of teenage bravado and a need to explore right now.

It's funny because I much prefer shopping inside the shops right now as due to the limited numbers it tends to be easier to get around. However, that does mean long queues beforehand. All the supermarkets have been good and have set hours for NHS/vulnerable/elderly people, usually an hour first thing in the morning. But of course, you still need to queue, just not as long. I've heard at peak times some people have been in line for over two hours.

The main test happens on Thursday when the thing goes live. I think I've got a handle on what I need to do now, but it took some working out.

[ephemera]

Poor Murphy! May he eventually learn to be a smidge more careful!

[turps]

After all the scrapes he's had so far you'd think he'd be more careful now. But nope!

[shadowhive]

Aww poor Murphy, silly kitty

Aww that’s sweet of the guard to say that

Oh nice! Good luck!

I never saw Gotham but I’ve heard about it

[turps]

Murphy is the silliest, and after having a mad morning has thankfully just settled for a nap.

Gotham is okay. Like I said I liked their take on the characters and it went in some interesting directions. But it's a series I doubt I'll ever go and rewatch.

[frausorge]

Poor Murphy! I hope if he can't settle down, he at least gets into scrapes he can get out of without outside help.

Also: if James qualifies for front-of-the-line privileges, I think you should use them with no qualms. Anyone who would begrudge that needs to check themselves, not bother you!

[turps]

I'm sure Murphy will settle down eventually. I just think it may take him a while as he's a little whirlwind!

Yeah, I know you're right and it would help a lot.

[brandywine28]

Murphy!! My Aloysius did that once when a piece of tape got stuck to his lil' butt. ENDLESS, FRANTIC ZOOMING.

I think it's totally admirable of you guys to not want to skip the line. That said, the security guy offered! It was his idea, not yours! I say go for it next time. :)

[turps]

Aloysius is such a great name. Endless frantic zooming describes it perfectly.

I suspect if we don't go to the front he'll push James to the front next time. The guard is lovely and kept apologising he hadn't seen James in the queue, and this is after he was complained at by people thinking he wasn't letting them in fast enough >:(

[glitteryv]

I see Murphy keeps up with his kitten rep, LOL.

Huh at that store selling ready-cooked poached eggs. NGL, I'd have been a bit O___o by the still runny yolk bit. \Technology/. Wow at those queue times. Over here, every place has a "ppl w/o face masks won't be allowed inside" + "no more than [10-20] ppl allowed (the number varies on the size of the place)."

Oh, wow, Gotham. That takes me baaaaaaaaack. IIRC, I bounced from the show sometime around S1? I think I got distracted and never came back to it. /o\ I think it's available on Netflix over here, but I am not sure if I'll get back to it any time soon. Right now, I'm enjoying the free HBO and trying to watch a few shows before it's taken away (in May).

[turps]

I'd like to say Murphy has calmed down a little, but nope.

Wow at those queue times. Over here, every place has a "ppl w/o face masks won't be allowed inside" + "no more than [10-20] ppl allowed (the number varies on the size of the place).

We have the same capacity restrictions, but still no sign of face masks being made compulsory. I've found it's actually quicker to go shopping away from the special hours for NHS workers and vulnerable people. if you go late enough queuing is a matter of minutes or not at all. Of course, by evening I'm not actually wanting to go grocery shopping. I want to be in my PJs and doing nothing. Like the majority of my life right now.

Gotham is a strange one. I enjoy it when I remember to watch, which is why I was watching the last season well after it aired. And I do like the take on some of the characters, but it'll always be a show I can take or leave.

Right now I'm working my way through The Gifted which is also one I've had recorded for ages. That's hitting my mutant love nicely.

How are you doing? I know you don't share personal stuff online so I'm not wanting details. Just, I know it's a hard time for us all.

[glitteryv]

Yeah, I don't think Murphy will chill out for at least a year? #GoodLuck? XD

I've noticed that going early anywhere is best (for me). Not only are there less ppl around, but those that are in places are calmer? Obvs, this means I have to wake up even earlier than usual if I'm doing a grocery run or going to the laundromat (like 6:00 a.m. so that I can be at places by 7 a.m.), but whatevs. After all, I can take a nap later if I want to (though I tend to avoid napping cuz it messes with my sleep habit + I usually get headache-y when I wake up).

Gotham is one of those shows that I really wanted to go back to, but then my attention drifted in such a way that, even though it's on Netflix, I'm still waiting around for the urge to really sit down and watch it? I dunno, really.

If I'm not mistaken, I do have The Gifted on my Hulu queue, but I am not in a hurry to watch that either. XD

I'm good or, you know, as good as one can be during a global pandemic. y loved ones are okay too (keeping social distancing, wearing masks when outside, etc). Haven't posted around here much--though I want to do some Thursday recs this coming week, hopefully. ;)

One good thing is that New Fandom has kept my spirits lifted as I make my way thru one out of 12+ different types of content. Plus the nearly daily happenings. My soul is being fed in an unexpected way. <3

[tara]

When E and I were discussing various possibilities for where we might live in the UK, one of her questions was whether she'd be able to understand people, given that she can struggle at times with UK accents. I told her that she might find it a bit difficult at first with your region, but that she'd pick it up soon enough, unlike Glasgow, which she'd never understand ;p

[turps]

You're right about the Glasgow accent.

It's why I get that people find mine hard to understand at times, because yeah, been there done that with other strong regional accents.

A few times at Camp Sparkle I've been met with blank looks while talking *g*

[tara]

I don't have any issue with your accent, but I struggle a lot with my aunt's even after years of talking to her. I think I have a mental block against the Filipino accent, because I don't do well with a lot of call centre workers from there either!