Chit Chat and All That...

[Star64]

Oh I love these little latte art pieces!

Thanks Kriszti, I have never been artistic but I am having fun trying
A friend of mine purchased me the book Coffee art, I have not managed to master any of the designs in the book yet

 

[Star64]

A picture of me from 78 years ago today.

I should mention that my aunt was present at the time of my birth, and informed me that my poor mother had no idea she was carrying twins.
I was born second, and was a complete surprise.
I was a 'breach birth,' so the first the world saw of
'yours truly' was my arse.

Apparantly, the midwife took one look at me, and slapped my mother!
After that, it was all down hill.

View attachment 40007

Here we go again

 

[Star64]

A picture of me from 78 years ago today.

I should mention that my aunt was present at the time of my birth, and informed me that my poor mother had no idea she was carrying twins.
I was born second, and was a complete surprise.
I was a 'breach birth,' so the first the world saw of
'yours truly' was my arse.

Apparantly, the midwife took one look at me, and slapped my mother!
After that, it was all down hill.

View attachment 40007

 

[Kriszti]

Thanks Kriszti, I have never been artistic but I am having fun trying
A friend of mine purchased me the book Coffee art, I have not managed to master any of the designs in the book yet

View attachment 40023

Key word: yet.
All that matters is that you are having fun.

 

[all to gain]

I noticed yesterday, after someone mentioned on here about the sound of their tinnitus, that my tinnitus isn't always a pure tone anymore, but instead it is often more of a sizzling sound. But, I'm not sure about this (LOL), ie I'm sat here trying to decide what sound it is. Whatever, it has changed over time without me noticing until now.

Whatever, the shrillness of it is frying me today.

 

[Shera]

I noticed yesterday, after someone mentioned on here about the sound of their tinnitus, that my tinnitus isn't always a pure tone anymore, but instead it is often more of a sizzling sound. But, I'm not sure about this (LOL), ie I'm sat here trying to decide what sound it is. Whatever, it has changed over time without me noticing until now.

Whatever, the shrillness of it is frying me today.

My T constantly changes. I know it's changed from when I orginally got it, to when it got worse, and now. So I never really now how to describe it.

 

[Daniel Lion]

A picture of me from 78 years ago today.

I should mention that my aunt was present at the time of my birth, and informed me that my poor mother had no idea she was carrying twins.
I was born second, and was a complete surprise.
I was a 'breach birth,' so the first the world saw of
'yours truly' was my arse.

Apparantly, the midwife took one look at me, and slapped my mother!
After that, it was all down hill.

View attachment 40007

Is this your way of saying it's my birthday?
Happy Birthday dear Jazzer.

 

[all to gain]

The seeming pointlessness of life has always gotten to me to a degree, but at the moment it's hitting me hard. To know that this is my lot and that things will only get worse.

What's the point really?

 

[Star64]

it's a novelty if we get to wear shorts my poor legs look transparent 11.5 months of the year haha

Looks like jcb is getting to wear his shorts, they are experiencing a heat wave in the UK

 

[Jazzer]

I have to ask - has anybody on Tinnitus talk ever seen 'hide or hair' of the illusive JCB.
Many of us have shown our 'Fisogs' in the Tinnitus Talk photo album - but to my knowledge - not JCB.

I mean - come on man.
You should be the Poster Boy for
'Chit Chat and all that.'

I'd be satisfied with a photograph of a 'cardboard cutout!'

 

[Jazzer]

'No answer - was the stern reply !'

 

[all to gain]

Watched this clip from Only Fools and Horses, which is a classic British comedy. I'm interesting in knowing if the Americans and others understand the language and the humour.

 

[Christiaan]

Watched this clip from Only Fools and Horses, which is a classic British comedy. I'm interesting in knowing if the Americans and others understand the language and the humour.

Oh, we love + get British stiff upper lip humour, banter, absurdism and sarcasm @all to gain. We almost have the same groove, but no one does it better than the British We still have reruns of GB's sitcoms on our Dutch cable channels, like Little Britain, Absolutely Fabulous and Keeping up appearances. I personally love all the sitcoms starring Greg Davies, e.g. Cuckoo and Man down.

 

[aot]

 

[all to gain]

Oh, we love + get British stiff upper lip humour, banter, absurdism and sarcasm @all to gain. We almost have the same groove, but no one does it better than the British We still have reruns of GB's sitcoms on our Dutch cable channels, like Little Britain, Absolutely Fabulous and Keeping up appearances. I personally love all the sitcoms starring Greg Davies, e.g. Cuckoo and Man down.

I remember a Dutch friend telling me years ago that in the Netherlands they got the BBC and that's one reason why the Dutch are so good at English. It's a shame we didn't get Dutch tv as then maybe we wouldn't be a bunch of monolingual tosspots Knowing one other language like I do makes me a veritable polyglot in the UK

 

[Christiaan]

I remember a Dutch friend telling me years ago that in the Netherlands they got the BBC and that's one reason why the Dutch are so good at English. It's a shame we didn't get Dutch tv as then maybe we wouldn't be a bunch of monolingual tosspots Knowing one other language like I do makes me a veritable polyglot in the UK

And of all languages: Russian! Must be one of the toughest languages to learn. Do you speak it fluently?

How's the English education system when it comes to foreign languages btw? Is it optional or mandatory nowadays? Our Dutch education on high school level only requires at least another foreign language next to English if you have chosen a specialisation in Culture & Economics (which I have: German, French & English).

Oh, here's a famous Dutch comedy series from the 90's. It had some international attention back in the day. Haye you heard of The Flodder family?

It's about an antisocial dysfunctional family who is offered a fancy villa in an equally fancy neighbourhood by a social worker (Jacques/Sjakie), who want to show his superiors that a change of scenery would be beneficial for the Flodder family. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[all to gain]

And of all languages: Russian! Must be one of the toughest languages to learn. Do you speak it fluently?

There are much tougher languages to learn. I would only put Russian on the third tier from the top in regard to difficulty of learning for native English speakers. Roughly speaking the levels are something like (although levels 4 and 5 could be reversed):

Level 1: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic etc
Level 2: Finnish, Hungarian etc
Level 3: Russian, Ukrainian etc
Level 4: German
Level 5: Spanish, French etc
Level 6: Dutch, Swedish

As to fluency, there are differing levels, i.e. there is a continuum. All native British people speak English, and by definition they are fluent, but does that mean they all know the language better than some foreigners? And are those some foreigners really better at English than the natives, i.e. do they know the nuances of the language instead of just lots of words and grammar?

I would say that I know the language well, especially understanding and reading. My written skills aren't great, pretty basic in fact, and my speaking is OK. My speaking was better but for the last 4 years I have been speaking mainly English as I want my sons to grow up with English as a native language, hence my level has gone down.

Being honest I would call myself semi-fluent. Whatever that means.

How's the English education system when it comes to foreign languages btw? Is it optional or mandatory nowadays? Our Dutch education on high school level only requires at least another foreign language next to English if you have chosen a specialisation in Culture & Economics (which I have: German, French & English).

I have no idea to be honest. When I was at school we basically had a choice between German and French. But it was very basic.

When I move back to the UK I want my kids to take a Russian A (GCE) level outside of their normal schooling.

Oh, here's a famous Dutch comedy series from the 90's. It had some international attention back in the day. Haye you heard of The Flodder family?

It's about an antisocial dysfunctional family who is offered a fancy villa in an equally fancy neighbourhood by a social worker (Jacques/Sjakie), who want to show his superiors that a change of scenery would be beneficial for the Flodder family. What could possibly go wrong?

No, I've never heard of them, but looking at the video some bits look very English.

 

[PeteJ]

There are much tougher languages to learn. I would only put Russian on the third tier from the top in regard to difficulty of learning for native English speakers. Roughly speaking the levels are something like (although levels 4 and 5 could be reversed):

Level 1: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic etc
Level 2: Finnish, Hungarian etc
Level 3: Russian, Ukrainian etc
Level 4: German
Level 5: Spanish, French etc
Level 6: Dutch, Swedish

As to fluency, there are differing levels, i.e. there is a continuum. All native British people speak English, and by definition they are fluent, but does that mean they all know the language better than some foreigners? And are those some foreigners really better at English than the natives, i.e. do they know the nuances of the language instead of just lots of words and grammar?

I would say that I know the language well, especially understanding and reading. My written skills aren't great, pretty basic in fact, and my speaking is OK. My speaking was better but for the last 4 years I have been speaking mainly English as I want my sons to grow up with English as a native language, hence my level has gone down.

Being honest I would call myself semi-fluent. Whatever that means.

I have no idea to be honest. When i was at school we basically had a choice between German and French. But it was very basic.

When I move back to the UK I want my kids to take a Russian A (GCE) level outside of their normal schooling.

No, i've never heard of them, but looking at the video some bits look very English.

I was learning Russian and Ukrainian before I got tinnitus. After onset, I stopped and stopped communicating with friends. Maybe some wondered what happened.

 

[Christiaan]

When I move back to the UK I want my kids to take a Russian A (GCE) level outside of their normal schooling.

No, I've never heard of them, but looking at the video some bits look very English.

Sounds like a smart plan. Russian will be a huge advantage sooner or later for your kids, especially if it's for business,
diplomacy, or even theatre/acting (top notch there and people like Jon Bernthal from''The Punisher'' studied theatre in Moscow). It certainly creates a lot of opportunities.

Alright, so you're moving back? I can imagine it would be a huge relief to be in your home town/country again.

 

[all to gain]

Sounds like a smart plan. Russian will be a huge advantage sooner or later for your kids, especially if it's for business,
diplomacy, or even theatre/acting (top notch there and people like Jon Bernthal from''The Punisher'' studied theatre in Moscow). It certainly creates a lot of opportunities.

Alright, so you're moving back? I can imagine it would be a huge relief to be in your home town/country again.

I'm trying to decide what would be a good second language (as Russian and English are both first languages) they should learn. Chinese or Japanese?

Yes, I am hoping to start the process to move back next year. I don't want my kids schooled here or under the reign of Putin and his version of reality. Not only that but kids here with dual nationality are not looked at in a good light for a number of reasons, and in general Russia is no place for an Englishman.

 

[all to gain]

I was learning Russian and Ukrainian before I got tinnitus. After onset, I stopped and stopped communicating with friends. Maybe some wondered what happened.

What made you decide to learn those languages?

 

[all to gain]

Sounds like a smart plan. Russian will be a huge advantage sooner or later for your kids, especially if it's for business,
diplomacy, or even theatre/acting (top notch there and people like Jon Bernthal from''The Punisher'' studied theatre in Moscow). It certainly creates a lot of opportunities.

Alright, so you're moving back? I can imagine it would be a huge relief to be in your home town/country again.

I want my children to stay away from politics and diplomacy, ie they are dangerous business in Russia. It astounds me even why Russians themselves would enter those fields. Have you ever seen the list of Russian diplomats, intelligence personnel etc that have died in mysterious circumstances. It is pretty damn long.

 

[all to gain]

I am @Christiaan 100% fluent in one thing though, and that is the Russian mentality. I can read it like a book...!

 

[aot]

Just found out that a friend of mine has tinnitus. As long she can remember. And two of my coworkers as well. Small world.

 

[WillBeNimble]

Just found out that a friend of mine has tinnitus. As long she can remember. And two of my coworkers as well. Small world.

Yeah. It's not uncommon, it's just generally ignore-able, and that's the treatment advice.

 

[Christiaan]

I am @Christiaan 100% fluent in one thing though, and that is the Russian mentality. I can read it like a book...!

Don't know what the Russian mentality is. I've never been there before. Would you please enlighten me @all to gain? Edit: I only know they love to dance funky style

 

[all to gain]

Don't know what the Russian mentality is. I've never been there before. Would you please enlighten me @all to gain?

It really is quite simple in essence but way too difficult to explain for me. So no I can't enlightnen you

One thing of interest though is the current situation in Belarus. If the rioting continues, and Lukashenko doesn't reign it in, don't be surprised if Russia steps in.

 

[Christiaan]

Has anyone been able to eat more than 8 hot dogs in 6 minutes? I ate no more than 3 back in the day when I ate meat. But this guy could easily do it while talking to the camera.

 

[Zugzug]

Has anyone been able to eat more than 8 hot dogs in 6 minutes? I ate no more than 3 back in the day when I ate meat. But this guy could easily do it while talking to the camera.

That meal looks so good. If the hot dogs looked like that, probably.

 

[Christiaan]

That meal looks so good. If the hot dogs looked like that, probably.

Google: How are Frankfurters made? First pic you'll see Ok, that adds another layer to the word ''hot dog challenge''