Cortese's Corner - formerly Beefy's Corner, the off topic chat thread

I barely get ID'd these days. Having a beard at this age is such a time saver in that respect.

 

Are you old enough to drive ?

 

No surprise really , that is you in your Avatar isn't it ?

 

My first house cost £4,600 and my salary was £700 a year.

I worked long hours, saved like mad, went without, had no help from my parents, filled the house with second hand or hand me down furniture or simply went without.

No washing machine, dishwasher, TV, vacuum cleaner just a broom and a washing up bowl.

So what is new.

Stop whingeing FFS just get on with it.

You want a real hard luck story then one day I'll tell you mine except I will not because I hate seeing grown men cry.

 

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/01/10/evolve-preview-meet-the-goliath.aspx

This game actually looks unique.

 

Oi, you miserable old bugger. Who was whinging? Not me, not even suggesting anything about self hard luck.

 

He's in one of those moods where the sherry has pushed him over the fine line between amusingly curmudgeonly and sounding a bit bitter. Normal service will be resumed shortly. I do love you Godders, but just sometimes a little flex would go a long way!

 

Just seen Lawro's Saturday predictions......2-0 every single one! At least he chucked one away win in there.

 

Just taken another look at this Godders and the ratio of salary to house price is very similar; what are you moaning about!

 

At least us young people are better looking.

 

I've met you remember...

 

I suppose not everybody would agree my Brad Pitt-esque looks are attractive.

 

Maybe you're just not my type

 

Just got my first FIFA game in four years. Ultimate team is pretty addictive eh?

 

It can be! I vowed I wouldn't play it on 13 but then got hooked.

 

I get some strange requests. Being the techy one in the family means I get asked advice on all manner of electronics that might be suitable, which are great value, features etc... Basically I get asked to come up with a best product for a situation. So, early this evening, we started off with my extremely non-techy brother ringing to buy a starter motor for his VW T4 camper van. He got quoted £169.74 or something very similar from a British supplier, arriving in 14 days. I had a look around and found genuine VW new, from Germany, £59.90 + £8.90 delivery, arriving Monday/Tuesday. He puts money in my account.

An hour later, my sister texted me. I have £1000 in my account [whoopee, ta..!] and would I buy that Smart TV and Computer I recommended [oh, OK]. This is a Samsung 40" Smart LED TV [didn't want 3D, fair enough] and it's a honey. £649 rrp, but good ol' Richer Sounds came up trumps at £429 including a 5 year guarantee [she likes long guarantees].
Now get this. The computer has to be small, very capable, Windows 8 with full size wireless keyboard and mouse [she doesn't want any cables showing and no laptops, tablets, etc... this is a very specific requirement]. When she first asked me I thought I was going to have to build a special and I didn't want to do that. Luckily, Novatech came to my rescue with the very thing. Their little NBox ii-i3 was just the ticket. It comes with a wired keyboard and mouse, but £20 will pay for a decent Microsoft wireless alternative. Windows 8.1 and the biggest monitor [step forward one Samsung TV] I will have ever set up so far. So why are we doing it this way..? Well, the relative we're doing it for has a brain injury, is a bit clumsy [so no expensive interfaces to drop], and he's getting on a bit. Plus, he's squinting at a 22" TV from yesteryear. He's bright enough, but he has no idea of what is coming, so he's going to think Christmas 2014 came super early. 18 months ago he was living in a broken down 1960's bungalow with **** all around him. I was paid to restore it and oversee the tradespeople doing the things I couldn't do myself. Now his home is delightful and these are going to be some of the finishing touches.

Shopping is great online. Especially with other people's money.

EDIT: Come on Beefy, let's have that one line reply.

 

If you're reading this, and you live in the north of England or in Scotland, and you have clear night skies and a good view [OK, that eliminated all of you], pop your head out of the window for a few seconds and look further north. Apparently, you have an excellent chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis. Tomorrow night is a pretty good one as well. Hopefully, even southern skies may get something as we should be clear as well.

 

Well done on helping the poor bloke outTSS !

 

Lucky northerners, but I would definitely recommend this. Saw the northern lights in Iceland a few times, both when it was green and purple, it was amazing. Shame my camera wasn't great at night shots.

 

Keen to go to Iceland actually - did you enjoy it PL?