So, what happened today?

[harr1984]

I mentioned my Dad was in a nursing home and not eating. Well he did pass away about a week ago. He had it rough for a long while but passed very suddenly, quietly and peacefully - so we are delighted that was so as he had wanted a relief from his agonies and anguish for a long while. The nursing home ( not a hospice) were really good.

I wrote to the local MP before the recent vote asking her if she wanted to see what unassisted dying looked like. She said no thanks and then voted against it because she feels there are some vulnerable people who will be coerced into an early death and doesn’t believe the bill offers adequate safeguards.

Despite these valid concerns it seems we are to go ahead with some form of assisted dying - and I think it is a step forward.

Sorry to hear that mate. There are valid counter arguments, but good to see there being a step in the right direction for those who really do need this assistance....

 

[Glenda's Legs]

I mentioned my Dad was in a nursing home and not eating. Well he did pass away about a week ago. He had it rough for a long while but passed very suddenly, quietly and peacefully - so we are delighted that was so as he had wanted a relief from his agonies and anguish for a long while. The nursing home ( not a hospice) were really good.

I wrote to the local MP before the recent vote asking her if she wanted to see what unassisted dying looked like. She said no thanks and then voted against it because she feels there are some vulnerable people who will be coerced into an early death and doesn’t believe the bill offers adequate safeguards.

Despite these valid concerns it seems we are to go ahead with some form of assisted dying - and I think it is a step forward.

Very sorry for your loss. But 'glad' - for him and for you - that his passing was peaceful.
RIP x

 

[Rorschach]

I mentioned my Dad was in a nursing home and not eating. Well he did pass away about a week ago. He had it rough for a long while but passed very suddenly, quietly and peacefully - so we are delighted that was so as he had wanted a relief from his agonies and anguish for a long while. The nursing home ( not a hospice) were really good.

I wrote to the local MP before the recent vote asking her if she wanted to see what unassisted dying looked like. She said no thanks and then voted against it because she feels there are some vulnerable people who will be coerced into an early death and doesn’t believe the bill offers adequate safeguards.

Despite these valid concerns it seems we are to go ahead with some form of assisted dying - and I think it is a step forward.

My condolences.

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

Driving today behind a car with reg no N17 DAN it couldn't be surely

 

[Muttley]

I mentioned my Dad was in a nursing home and not eating. Well he did pass away about a week ago. He had it rough for a long while but passed very suddenly, quietly and peacefully - so we are delighted that was so as he had wanted a relief from his agonies and anguish for a long while. The nursing home ( not a hospice) were really good.

I wrote to the local MP before the recent vote asking her if she wanted to see what unassisted dying looked like. She said no thanks and then voted against it because she feels there are some vulnerable people who will be coerced into an early death and doesn’t believe the bill offers adequate safeguards.

Despite these valid concerns it seems we are to go ahead with some form of assisted dying - and I think it is a step forward.

So sorry to hear this mate, and totally agree.

We lost mum in September after a 5 year cycle of dementia. I watched weekly the physical and mental deterioration of a person I obviously loved dearly. We went the different direction from you where we kept her at home with dad, but had every type of specialist carer in the bungalow making sure she was made as comfortable as can be. Being only last week, it's still incredibly raw with yourself and the family, and I hope you're getting through it as well as you can.

I never want to go through what I watched my own mum go through. I would personally want the Dignitas model and feel very strongly that it should be implemented. I already have one friend who chatted to me about his own dad in the final stages of cancer getting on that plane to Switzerland and coming back as ashes.

 

[johnola]

So sorry to hear this mate, and totally agree.

We lost mum in September after a 5 year cycle of dementia. I watched weekly the physical and mental deterioration of a person I obviously loved dearly. We went the different direction from you where we kept her at home with dad, but had every type of specialist carer in the bungalow making sure she was made as comfortable as can be. Being only last week, it's still incredibly raw with yourself and the family, and I hope you're getting through it as well as you can.

I never want to go through what I watched my own mum go through. I would personally want the Dignitas model and feel very strongly that it should be implemented. I already have one friend who chatted to me about his own dad in the final stages of cancer getting on that plane to Switzerland and coming back as ashes.

Crumbs that is rough, I cannot imagine how hard that is as a family to see it through to the end.

We had no choice about his care in the end. He was in hospital and they insisted he went into nursing care and I am really thankful that he did.

 

[Muttley]

Crumbs that is rough, I cannot imagine how hard that is as a family to see it through to the end.

We had no choice about his care in the end. He was in hospital and they insisted he went into nursing care and I am really thankful that he did.

The only thing I'd say is that it is way more natural and manageable than you ever think it will be. I remember speaking to my uncle and he has lost his mum, his wife and his sister, and been bedside every time. You just assume you would never be strong enough in that circumstance but you obviously are. It is a subtle part of who we are in this circle of life we all exist in.

 

[Diamond Lights]

So i'm attempting a digital detox. I've bought a Nokia and am currently not really using my smart phone. it won't be forever and i do need to pop it on every now and then as so much of the life is intertwined (heating app for home, work emails etc).

Why am i doing this? Hmm i feel like i'm constantly on my phone and with the kids around it's not quality time

I've found myself like a crack addict constantly checking my Smart phone recently. so it's nice to take a little change with things.

Only a couple of days in, it's been ok, you realise how you NEVER look up. i was at the station and noticed a massive new building going up that i've not seen because my eyes are firmly down constantly.

Wont be forever like i say, tomorrow night i'm out and will need smartphone for Uber etc but it's been ok so far and over Xmas can see me using the old Nokia a lot more.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

The days have started getting longer...whoop whoop!

 

[Daisuk]

So i'm attempting a digital detox. I've bought a Nokia and am currently not really using my smart phone. it won't be forever and i do need to pop it on every now and then as so much of the life is intertwined (heating app for home, work emails etc).

Why am i doing this? Hmm i feel like i'm constantly on my phone and with the kids around it's not quality time

I've found myself like a crack addict constantly checking my Smart phone recently. so it's nice to take a little change with things.

Only a couple of days in, it's been ok, you realise how you NEVER look up. i was at the station and noticed a massive new building going up that i've not seen because my eyes are firmly down constantly.

Wont be forever like i say, tomorrow night i'm out and will need smartphone for Uber etc but it's been ok so far and over Xmas can see me using the old Nokia a lot more.

Nice! Let us know how it goes! A mate of mine also has this old Nokia, and only that, and is excluded from so many social services it's ridiculous (just getting a bus ticket is a chore). He loves it though, and you can almost see it in him, patience and calm personified. I think you're doing a very smart thing. Wish I could do the same, but wouldn't survive without my phone a single day due to how its used at work, my kid's school, banking etc. Its like crack, for sure.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

Nice! Let us know how it goes! A mate of mine also has this old Nokia, and only that, and is excluded from so many social services it's ridiculous (just getting a bus ticket is a chore). He loves it though, and you can almost see it in him, patience and calm personified. I think you're doing a very smart thing. Wish I could do the same, but wouldn't survive without my phone a single day due to how its used at work, my kid's school, banking etc. Its like crack, for sure.

I don't think the smartphone in itself is the problem (as you say, it's massively useful), 90% of the issue is social media.

An audit of most people's phone would demonstrate this. Delete those apps (probably not Whatsapp) and you'd see a massive difference imo. Not just the phone addiction but other areas of mental health.

 

[Diamond Lights]

Nice! Let us know how it goes! A mate of mine also has this old Nokia, and only that, and is excluded from so many social services it's ridiculous (just getting a bus ticket is a chore). He loves it though, and you can almost see it in him, patience and calm personified. I think you're doing a very smart thing. Wish I could do the same, but wouldn't survive without my phone a single day due to how its used at work, my kid's school, banking etc. Its like crack, for sure.

Have to say, reading this part, and mate, it's exactly the same for me so would not discount that it's not feasible for you.

2 different apps for my kids school, all my work emails and chats to communicate when i'm between meetings or in meetings (work in the City in Finance), and yes i do often send the odd email/chat whilst on holiday given the industry.

Are some things frustrating? sure. I pre-order my coffee to collect before getting to the office. Discount codes for things, i still carry my iPhone (but cant tether to Nokia) so if I need it, i'll find Wifi. Alternatively, i have all work and home stuff on iPad too so that's often with me (especially in the office).

Trust me, i'm on my phone a lot, and that's why i'm attempting this. I'm still checking in, it's not complete cold turkey, but it's a real eye opener as to how addicted i am to my phone and most importantly how nearly nothing is urgent. it's really proving to be a distraction but for non-important stuff. Quite looking forward to being off the phone over Christmas and hopefully just more present with the kids.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

Have to say, reading this part, and mate, it's exactly the same for me so would not discount that it's not feasible for you.

2 different apps for my kids school, all my work emails and chats to communicate when i'm between meetings or in meetings (work in the City in Finance), and yes i do often send the odd email/chat whilst on holiday given the industry.

Are some things frustrating? sure. I pre-order my coffee to collect before getting to the office. Discount codes for things, i still carry my iPhone (but cant tether to Nokia) so if I need it, i'll find Wifi. Alternatively, i have all work and home stuff on iPad too so that's often with me (especially in the office).

Trust me, i'm on my phone a lot, and that's why i'm attempting this. I'm still checking in, it's not complete cold turkey, but it's a real eye opener as to how addicted i am to my phone and most importantly how nearly nothing is urgent. it's really proving to be a distraction but for non-important stuff. Quite looking forward to being off the phone over Christmas and hopefully just more present with the kids.

Fairplay mate....at least it's on your radar that there could be an issue there

 

[Daisuk]

I don't think the smartphone in itself is the problem (as you say, it's massively useful), 90% of the issue is social media.

An audit of most people's phone would demonstrate this. Delete those apps (probably not Whatsapp) and you'd see a massive difference imo. Not just the phone addiction but other areas of mental health.

Yeah, I agree. I don't use a lot of social media these days, only Reddit and this site, but I manage to rack up hours of use anyway.

I've got apps for - two for my son's school, one for communication with parent group at school, one for public transport, one to open the bloody garage door in my building, two apps to log in to the system at work, two apps for my bank (one of them used as an authenticator for proving I am the person logging in to various Norwegian social services), one for charging the car, one for digital payments. Its relentless.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

Yeah, I agree. I don't use a lot of social media these days, only Reddit and this site, but I manage to rack up hours of use anyway.

I've got apps for - two for my son's school, one for communication with parent group at school, one for public transport, one to open the bloody garage door in my building, two apps to log in to the system at work, two apps for my bank (one of them used as an authenticator for proving I am the person logging in to various Norwegian social services), one for charging the car, one for digital payments. Its relentless.

Download a digital wellbeing app (or android has one built in) and have a good look into where you're spending your time.

It all revolves around 'time well spent'

 

[Daisuk]

Not a happening per say, but just wanted to give a shoutout to the tap water in Norway in the winter. Its amazing! When its cold out, the tap water gets really really nice and cold. So good. I could drink it all day long. It's like a fine Rolls Royce to England's rusty old Lada. Worth experiencing!

 

[glasgowspur]

Not a happening per say, but just wanted to give a shoutout to the tap water in Norway in the winter. Its amazing! When its cold out, the tap water gets really really nice and cold. So good. I could drink it all day long. It's like a fine Rolls Royce to England's rusty old Lada. Worth experiencing!

The water in some parts of England is awful, but that is more to do with the geology (?) than anything else.
The water in Scotland is far superior and I would think it's the same in Norway.

 

[johnola]

The water in some parts of England is awful, but that is more to do with the geology (?) than anything else.
The water in Scotland is far superior and I would think it's the same in Norway.

It’s hard water - calcium from chalk and limestone and other limey sediments dissolves into the groundwater that is then pumped up into the water supply. It’s natural enough.

However it results in a scum of calcium on the surface when I make a cuppa and big crusty flakes of limescale sometimes find their way from kettle to mug. Our tea takes longer to steep and tastes much worse than from your lovely soft waters.

The soft waters are much kinder to hair and skin.

 

[glasgowspur]

It’s hard water - calcium from chalk and limestone and other limey sediments dissolves into the groundwater that is then pumped up into the water supply. It’s natural enough.

However it results in a scum of calcium on the surface when I make a cuppa and big crusty flakes of limescale sometimes find their way from kettle to mug. Our tea takes longer to steep and tastes much worse than from your lovely soft waters.

The soft waters are much kinder to hair and skin.

Hate tea when I'm down south and as for trying to get a lather when showering that's just not happening.
We are spoiled up here, even our poorest water is better than most places.

 

[Rorschach]

Water will be more valuable than oil in some places in the not-too-distant future. Groundwater use has not been managed properly so the aquifers are not being replenished. Some parts of America could be facing dust bowl conditions again.

Another travesty is that we use some of the best-quality water in the world to flush our toilets.