The totally off-topic thread

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Well, sometimes things just dont turn out for the best, do they.
 
GarrettM said:
My 69yo dad died this morning after a massive heart attack. I didn't get a chance to tell him I loved him, despite trying to find the right time for ages. Please don't make that mistake.
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Thank you to all who responded with kind words and thoughts. It's been a rough couple days just trying to get stuck into sorting out some things and helping mum prepare for life after dad. They were together for 40 years, although only got married 10 years ago. In fact dad died on their 10th wedding anniversary. Talk about timing.

He was a very private sort of bloke, and never talked much to us about his life before kids. But going through some of his stuff has been illuminating. He kept things that obviously mattered to him, but he'd never discuss them.

Some examples: a letter of recommendation from his first job at Montgomery Brothers in Kalgoorlie from 1961. He delivered pamphlets on his bike after being forced to leave school to support the family. He also had similar letters from other employers from the 1970s and 1980s.

Dad did manual labour most of his working life. He never had an education past the age of 13, so advancing in any sort of career was tough. He took work when and where he could. But he never cut corners, and when he tried a new trade he did things the right way. Treated people with respect, and believed in earning every dollar he was paid.

It's only really going back through all this stuff that I realise how hard it must have been, and what he did for us.

Also found a pay book from his Army service from 1963-65. He was a Sapper in the Royal Australian Engineers, serving in Borneo for the most part. He used to send his pay back to his parents so they would bank it for him, and it would be there when he returned to Australia. Instead they spent it, and when he got back he had nothing. Not sure he ever recovered from that. They were coughs of the highest order.

Also found his discharge papers, plus his service medal, and pins. He never ever talked about his service, and he refused anything to do with the RSL, despite being entitled to support in various forms.

I know dad suffered some form of knee injury in the Army, and they actually attempted to do a replacement surgery, but something went wrong during the operation, and they had to leave it the way it was. That would have life-long consequences.

Some other military stuff, including standard issue Army cutlery, and two khukuri he was given by a Gurkha unit somewhere while in SE Asia. All I can tell so far is that they are old.

I found his Certificate of Admission - if that's the right term - to the Freemasons Lodge of Ivanhoe in Edinburgh. Which I am totally stumped on. Dated 1979.

And the Certificate of Divorce from his first wife, of which again he never ever spoke of. Mind you we knew about that but it was never something that I needed to know more of anyways.

Plus photos from when he was a baby! All the way up to his teenage years, and just before he met mum even. I'm going to scan them and make some form of collage.

Staying busy going through all this has been very helpful really. It's still sinking in of course, and it comes in waves. But dealing with the practicalities has been much better than I ever expected.
 
blackcat20 said:
Tastes as good as it looks and perfect with some lamb shank pasta
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Fancy you doing lamb shanks - we did today as well! A bottle of 2004 Shiraz was used in the liquor.

Our shanks were huge. I'm surprised they cooked in time for dinner; only allowed 5-6 hours for them and barely fit in the cooker.

No sourdough for us; the cooking vegetables and some blanched broccoli / cauliflower was sufficient.
 
anat0l said:
Fancy you doing lamb shanks - we did today as well! A bottle of 2004 Shiraz was used in the liquor.

Our shanks were huge. I'm surprised they cooked in time for dinner; only allowed 5-6 hours for them and barely fit in the cooker.

No sourdough for us; the cooking vegetables and some blanched broccoli / cauliflower was sufficient.
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I did mine Friday; 12 hours in the slow cooker. Tonight just pulled the bones out, added some extra wine, simmered a bit then served over pasta (had mash on Friday).
 
Bundy Bear said:
Just quoting another update from FB, one for JohnK,

Sometimes the best things you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess.
Just breathe. And have faith that everything will turn out for the best.
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I do have faith that things will turn out ok but something/someone has been ensuring that it's a rough ride with many twists and turns.

What I was involved in 53 years ago has become reality again today. History repeating? Things are ok but not smooth sailing by far.

Take note I am only 52 years old.
 
penegal said:
Ouch - sleep deprivation is not good.
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I have an excuse to go looking for a hot lunch to keep me awake. ;)
My other keep awake technique of "killing in the name" on repeat at high volume probably won't work in an open plan office.
 
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drron said:
Oh dear-


Lidl recalls packets of peanuts -*because they do not*say they contain nuts on the label
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In other news, a hardware store has been forced to relabel a set of nuts and bolts with specific wording stating that they contain no allergens.

A mental institution has also been asked to clarify that their patients do not specifically possess any allergens; they are just mentally challenged.

......

I remember a flight on BA CW and being served a packet of cashews and almonds with the aperitif. Yep, you guessed it, on the packet it clearly said, "Warning: contains nuts
 
Why does it always happen?
Daughter's hip is still causing problems even after surgery, still not able to return to work after 4 weeks on crutches and getting very sick of it. To add the cherry on top, she's just broken a tooth :(
Had coffee with son and his new medication is not working well at present so he is feeling out of sorts as well.
And of course they share this with their parents so we end up worrying more than them.
 
love_the_life said:
Why does it always happen?
Daughter's hip is still causing problems even after surgery, still not able to return to work after 4 weeks on crutches and getting very sick of it. To add the cherry on top, she's just broken a tooth :(
Had coffee with son and his new medication is not working well at present so he is feeling out of sorts as well.
And of course they share this with their parents so we end up worrying more than them.
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Oh. Bugger. Oops. Can I say that here? Let's see.
 
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