philmayfield
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Posts posted by philmayfield
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I think the main thing is to dress for one’s own personal comfort. There are occasions of course when a more formal standard of dress is de rigeur. Photos of people at the seaside back in the fifties wearing a suit and collar and tie may look ridiculous today but most people only had the clothes they stood up in and jeans and t shirts had not yet made an appearance. There are certain occasions when you expect to see a more formal style of dress such as at a meeting with a professional where a certain decorum is required. Even the tie is becoming extinct. You still see people wearing a smart business suit but with no tie and it does look a bit incongruous. When you consider it ties are just a form of adornment indicating memberships and affiliations or just a means of self expression. I used to have have lots of tailor made suits for business but the more time I spent on the factory floor it was just a shirt and trousers, still with a tie of course to denote ‘management’ but carefully tucked into the shirt for safety. My usual dress nowadays is a rustic checked shirt, casual trousers and a gilet for wallet, phone, keys and all other sundries. I only have one tie and one suit for weddings and funerals and even at funerals I usually wear an open necked shirt and blazer. I only have one pair of shoes which I replace when worn out! My wife’s the same - no pretensions, just plain country wear. Our outgoings, apart from services and food are minimal. The simple life for us - apart from a couple of decent cars!
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42 minutes ago, Jill Sparrow said:
Sounds like a job for Margie.
Who's the anaesthetic for, Phil? You?
Yes, a fine Armagnac stops my hands from shaking.
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I don't do 'proper' anaesthesia, just half a bottle of brandy and a bullet to bite on. I do need a scrub nurse however to mop my sweating brow. That's just for a haircut! Invasive surgery will also require a trained first aider in case I faint.
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I could give it a whirl. 'Practical Anatomy' by Le Gross Clarke is on my shelf. I'll read it up. I bury my failures!
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An operating theatre is about the only room we don't have in this rambling place. We really need to move to somewhere more appropriate for the elderly but would miss having the space and the magnificent views over the valley. This house plus extensions has been in the family since 1962 and does have sentimental attachment.
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I'm sitting in my library now and I can see a few books on fungi on the shelf which I must confess to not having read. I know library sounds rather grand but it's a room with bookshelves so what else can I call it? I shall peruse them straight away and become a leading authority!
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We did have an enormous crop of mushrooms in our hay meadow about 20 years ago. It's never happened since. Unless someone comes before dawn and picks them for market!
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I have dabbled with Thomas Hardy (in the nicest possible way!) and found his works quite readable. I can’t live with George Elliot though. I could never understand the point of Shakespeare in the school curriculum. I must confess I can still quote a few of his well known passages. I can also quote from St. John’s gospel in the Bible. I think I might have learnt that whilst in detention!
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Looking introspectively at myself I think I am the very epitome of Thomas Gradgrind. The resemblance is almost uncanny.
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I have a brief knowledge of the trade from accountancy clients many years ago. Springfield Hosiery and Wrights and Dobsons. I think it was to do with a jacking machine that stacked up the fabric into piles.
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I’ve never been a reader of fiction. I want facts and information. I have a large collection of reference books on every subject under the sun. I can attempt anything from an appendectomy to stripping down a gearbox. I must admit I have yet to try the former but my time will come!
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I find Dickens' long, descriptive passages equally boring. I have his complete works and they do look impressive on my bookshelves next to the Complete Works of Shakespeare. It makes me look intellectual even if I'm not!
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We used to have an old lady own our lane who was a self acknowledged expert on mushrooms. She looked the part, black floppy hat, black cape. I remember her being carted off in an ambulance after one misadventure. Mushrooms can be very nasty things. Always take advice from a proper expert. Even then, ignore it and don't eat them unless bought from a reliable source.
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The hymn to which the answer to each question is No’!
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......... and the day he died.
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...... but master of none! Actually I gave up accountancy and was involved in electrical and mechanical engineering plus building a few factories over my last 25 years of work. You name it, I've done it!
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Anterior vena cava, external jugular, innominate, subclavian, labial,?, internal jugular, brachial, musculo cutaneous- or something like that.
Trim, throttle, mixture, carb heat, fuel, flaps, gauges, electrics, harness, hatch secure. Flying controls full and free movement. How about that!
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How about this for a mnemonic.
'After expressing joy in suitable language my Indo- Japanese servant brewed my coffee'.
It's to remember the anterior venous system of the common frog.
I still remember that from my A level biology days! A mine of useless information me!
Another on for light aircraft pre take off checks:
Tommy tickled Mary carefully for five gorgeous ecstatic heavenly hours.
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Heard it today here in the Trent Valley. Anyone else?
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Trout and cheese. Sounds disgusting!
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I heartily agree. Fine foods don't require tarting up or fancifying. On the rare occasions we have lobster (usually bought fresh on the quayside when on holiday) it's best served with a simple salad and new potatoes and not made into a fancy thermidor dish. Good food has it's own intrinsic flavour which can best be appreciated by simplicity of cooking. I believe lots of sauces and spice dishes originally evolved from disguising meat which had gone over the top!
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They say 'You can't take it with you'. However if you build up a large pile you can hide behind it!
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I'm quite popular in my own close circle!
If they celebrate it will be at their own expense which will bring me even further joy!
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I know where I’m going. ‘Straight to Crem!’ It’s in my will. No ceremony, no mourners, no ham tea. I’ve even set aside a zero sum of cash to pay for it! No bugger’s getting a free buffet on me!
Sentimental old Tat and liberty bodices
in Owt' Abaaht Nowt !
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Some people dress to impress and I agree that at an interview it’s important. I have no one I need to impress so I just please myself. If you dressed smartly out here in the sticks you would look decidedly odd and the neighbourhood watch would be alerted!