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Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!

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Comments

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Spring has sprung

    BunksFosdick
  • FosdickFosdick in its eye are mirrored far off mountains Alaska, USA Veteran

    Spring has sprung, but winter is starting to clamp down. Couple of really nice frames in that video of the butterfly. <3

    Shoshin1
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    We’re having a late summer heatwave over here, temperatures around 30 degrees for six days in a row. And that after the whole of July and August as intermittently wet and temperatures around 20.

    BunksShoshin1
  • @Fosdick said:
    Spring has sprung, but winter is starting to clamp down. Couple of really nice frames in that video of the butterfly. <3

    What about your mountains? 🏔️🏔️🌄⛰️

  • FosdickFosdick in its eye are mirrored far off mountains Alaska, USA Veteran

    Some snow on the mountains, yes. Down below, rain and cooler temperatures. And a leaky roof. In spite of that, the mice will soon commence their annual mass migration into the houses.

    Shoshin1
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Our Spring usually involves days where we get four seasons in one day kind of weather, similar to our Autumn weather too...

    Bunks
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Lots of Jellyfish on the beach this morning

    I started to count them, but gave up...

    Bunks
  • @Kotishka said:
    @marcitko ,
    What is cooking up in the sky? Before my father became depressed we used to play with a telescope. I still have the manual book somewhere... My balcony has a south-east orientation.

    @Kotishka I love your enthusiasm for astronomy! I don't want to hijack this wonderful thread but would enjoy PM-ing with you on all things astronomy. If you would also enjoy that, feel free to send me a message :)

    Kotishka
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    I would like to join that conversation @marcitko… I’ve long been interested in space, the planets, stars and galaxies, and would enjoy learning more!

    marcitko
  • KotishkaKotishka Veteran
    edited September 2023

    Im going to open that thread and this way Marcitko can start telling us more cool stuff! Unless... You finally do so!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻😢❤️

    Bunks
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    From the world of AI art, this has been getting a lot of praise…

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Well after this morning's jolk I headed off for the first skinny dip of the season...


    The ocean was cool and refreshing ( I guess some would say bloody cold)

    Off for a coastal walk later with a Dharma friend, so be warned...there could be more videos to come of the scenery around the headland ...

    BunksFleaMarketJeroenmarcitko
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    I was hoping to get another skinny dip in but the weather had other ideas..over the last few days there's been a drop in temperature it's been overcast rainy...

    Anyhow I'm off to catch the ferry in a couple of hours, the start of my journey to the UK and Europe...Ferry, airport bus and plane, then my son is going to pick me up at Heathrow Wednesday morning UK time...

    JeroenmarcitkoKotishka
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    Have a good trip, @Shoshin1

    Shoshin1
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Well I'm sitting in the departure lounge of SFO airport flight leaves in around an hour ..no time to do any sightseeing, so instead I took a trip on the free airport terminal train from one end of the airport to the other end when the Bart station is, I topped up my Clipper card so I can use it on my return trip..

  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    How are things in the UK @shoshin1 was the flight without incident?

    Shoshin1
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran
    edited October 2023

    I came across Elves, Sprites, Pixies and Gnomes in this Wikipedia article on atmospheric phenomena…

    marcitko
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    @Shoshin1 said:
    on the 3rd I fly to Albania for 7 days

    I’ve never yet been to that part of Europe. I visited Turkey once but never been to Greece or the Balkans. Hope you have fun today!

    Shoshin1Bunks
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran
    edited October 2023

    Thanks @Jeroen.. I'm looking forward to the experience....
    I'm just sitting in the departure area of Luton airport my flight's at 5.45pm GMT ...The son who lives in Budapest arrived in Tirana a couple of hours ago with his partner, they are hiring a car and picking me up at the airport, his booked a Airbnb about half an hour away from the airport...my flights due in at 9.45pm local time...the others are flying in on Thursday..
    Luton airport is not as crazy busy as it was the last time I was here, the last time it was chaos...mind you I was there at the peak of the European summer holidays..

    Bunks
  • BunksBunks Australia Veteran

    Safe travels @Shoshin1

    Shoshin1
  • First month in my new flat. I have some more space for meditation practice, but at what cost (rent $$$$) :( Hahaha

    Shoshin1Jeroenmarcitko
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    @Bunks said:
    Safe travels @Shoshin1

    Thanks @Bunks
    When my son and his partner arrived, they went for a walk in the city centre, they said the air is quite polluted and not the best place to walk around , and because I have a problem with air pollution, they think it's best not to explore the city on foot....( We only booked an Airbnb for one night in Tirana, only because my flight was arriving late, we didn't have any plans for exploring the city anyway)
    We are off to the ancient city of Berat this morning...we will spend a night there then off to Vlore for some sun and surf...

    Bunks
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    @Kotishka said:
    First month in my new flat. I have some more space for meditation practice, but at what cost (rent $$$$) :( Hahaha

    Yeah I know what you mean… I got a cheap rented flat when I was first living on my own with a steady job and ended up staying there for 11 years, but I should really have bought something back then. Houses just keep getting more expensive, and a mortgage although it looks like a big responsibility is one of only a few possibilities for a really good investment.

    marcitko
  • marcitkomarcitko Veteran
    edited October 2023

    @Shoshin1 said: then off to Vlore for some sun and surf...

    Albania is the new Croatia. Montenegro was the new Croatia before that. Cheap, beautiful, civilized, hospitable. "Hurray!", say the Albanians. "Oh shit", say the Croats.

    The institutional EU claims it suffers from "enlargement-fatigue". But, the people are voting with their feet and pockets. Think it's a good thing. Long live Albania and the rest of the Western Balkans...

    Shoshin1Kotishka
  • @Jeroen said:

    @Kotishka said:
    First month in my new flat. I have some more space for meditation practice, but at what cost (rent $$$$) :( Hahaha

    Yeah I know what you mean… I got a cheap rented flat when I was first living on my own with a steady job and ended up staying there for 11 years, but I should really have bought something back then. Houses just keep getting more expensive, and a mortgage although it looks like a big responsibility is one of only a few possibilities for a really good investment.

    I agree. The problem is mortgages are getting expensive too here in Lanzarote. Also, the only way I managed to find a reasonable flat for a good price (650 euros versus 1,200 euros up..) was because the landlady asked me to pay her in cash and no contract. LOL...

  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    I saw an article recently that the sense bees have for finding flowers (which happens via volatile organic chemicals released along with the scent of flowers) is disturbed by excess ozone from cars, it’s a form of pollution. Love the bees, people should live cleaner…

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    From the old fortress in the old city part of Berat...

    Berat city centre of a night

    The main religion of Albania is Islam, however there are often Mosques with Churches built quite close to each other..
    I guess it's what I would call a layed back Islam, the friendly locals are Westernised no strict religious dress code...
    Leaving Berat yesterday.

    Arriving in Vlore yesterday late afternoon...

    Where we will be staying until Monday...

    JeroenFleaMarketBunks
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    Wow, Albania is majority Islamic? I didn’t know… a little surfing on Wikipedia alerted me that Bosnia and Kosovo also have huge Islamic populations. It all seems to go back to the Ottoman Empire.

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Yes over the centuries Albania has been influenced by Romans, Greeks, and the Ottoman Turks who have had a lasting influence...
    Today was a chill day...chilling by the Adriatic/Ionian sea...

    The water and temperature was warm ...but a strongish cool breeze was blowing...

    marcitko
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    There is a thick layer of cloud, the morning is shrouded in a dim grey light, it is a cool thirteen degrees outside. It is an autumn morning for sure. There are still birds calling though, the dawn chorus in full flow.

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Drove down to Ksamil...
    Albania is quite a mountainous country..

    Ksamil is quite a touristy seaside resort.

    Kotishka
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    Looks like you are having a good time @Shoshin1 doing touristy things is exactly right when one is a tourist!

    Shoshin1
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Well last bit of surf and sand before I head back up to Durres, I fly back to (a drop in temperature )London tomorrow at 11.25am ( I have to be at the airport at 9am hence why we are driving up this afternoon ....I'm travelling up with two of my sons, one son and his partner fly back to Budapest a couple of hours after I leave, then my oldest son and his wife fly back to London late afternoon, they are staying in Vlore for another night and driving up tomorrow ... My youngest is flying back to Berlin on Wednesday, he is going to stay with some friends from Berlin who have been stay in Durres and they will all fly out on Wednesday...

    Well Albania has been a pleasant change, nice place all round, the friendly people, the warm weather ( around 27c today), the beaches and the food...

    Bunkslobster
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    Gabor Maté on the Israel-Palestine conflict… he is Jewish but has also visited Gaza and has Palestinian contacts in Canada, so he has a pretty balanced perspective:

    DagobahZen
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    Autumn has well and truly arrived here, it was only 7 degrees C when I woke up this morning. It makes me want to watch The Lord of the Rings, something that autumn has always done for me.

    KotishkaShoshin1DagobahZen
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Well I'm sitting in the departure lounge of SFO airport last leg of the journey home, took the Bart train into the city centre, had a quick walk around taking in some of the sights.. I think all this travelling over the last month is finally catching up with me...quite tired now, so I should get some sleep on the plane, my new ergonomic airplane pillow seems to work.... it's like a scarf with a frame in it which hold your neck in place instead of it flopping around ..

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Flight arrives at 5.50 am...breezed through customs and border biosecurity ...Now on the airport bus to the downtown ferry terminal... feeling a bit tired...

    Jeroen
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    I can imagine, long flights are never as comfortable as a good bed!

    Shoshin1
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Yes, long flights like from Australia or New Zealand to the UK and Europe can be quite tiresome especially when flying economy...average direct flight time ( one plane refill stop) 23 and half hours...

    This flight it was just under 13 hours from Auckland to SFO and 10 from SFO to London with a 6 hour stop over...29 hours...mind you when I first flew from London to Sydney back in the late 1960s, it took 36 hours, 7 stops Zurich, Beirut, New Deli, Rangoon, Hong Kong, Darwin, Sydney...

    Well after I unpacked ( I travel light - a carry on convertible backpack come trolley bag) and did a few things around the apartment, then had a nap for around one and half hours ...Going to stay up as long as I can then ht the sack for the night, I can have tomorrow off work, which means I've got the weekend to recover...

    Jeroen
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    As long as you had a good time @Shoshin1… you need some payback for such an effort!

    Shoshin1
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran
    edited October 2023

    Yes, it's been well worth it @Jeroen ...

    And another travel seed ( somewhat self generated) has already been planted for a trip next year...I'm a glutton for punishment ;);)

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Well it would seem that the tail end of cyclone Lola is about to pay a visit...The wind speed is picking up and we are to expect heavy rain later today....Home sweet home....

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran
    edited November 2023

    For a minute @Jeroen, I thought you were trying your hand at dusting...

    JeroenlobsterKotishka
  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    @Shoshin1 said:
    For a minute @Jeroen, I thought you were trying your hand at dusting...

    Having lived alone as a bachelor for many years I’m not totally unfamiliar with the practice…

    Shoshin1Kotishka
  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Well this was on my local FB community notice board this afternoon ( I had to take a video of the videos, one taken by a person on the beach and the other from a drone...The video is a bit grainy but you can see the shark quite clearly

    Large shark.... possibly a white pointer cruising in Onetangi bay..

    With the warmer water temperatures, we will be seeing a lot more cruising the bays around the island...

  • Shoshin1Shoshin1 Sentient Being Oceania Veteran

    Well Summer is almost upon us Southern Hemispherians ...as the winter nears for Northerners ...

    It will soon be time to become shark bait again...

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