Journal Entries
1st troubles...
Posted Jan 19, 2024
I was checking my Happy Meal aka MacBookPro (2016) this week, getting ready for my new 24" iMac (2Tb HD and 32Gb RAM) when I noticed a huge discrepancy on HD storage.
According to installed software I only had 121Gb of HD space left of 1Tb, but according to the 'about this 
' information I had 818Gb of storage. That is aver 700Gb of storage discrepancy. Thankfully there is one very good thing about Macs, and that is they offer free support for around 10 years of the life of the Mac. I was getting support on my 2010 Mac only recently but was informed it was about to stop.
After a visit to the store, i was advised how to check what was using up memory, so tried that when I came home, which is when I discovered the discrepancy.
Yesterday, out of frustration in not being able to find out where the discrepancy was, I contacted support chat. The first 
talked me through a number of diagnostics, but ended up scratching his head. I had to cut the chat short after two hours, and called back half an hour later. The new spent another hour going through further diagnostics, still with no solution, or explanation. After 75 minutes or so, again I had to leave the chat, only for a third attempt around an hour later. The third tried safe boot, Terminal etc. but finally indicated that their level of expertise couldn't solve the problem, and to book a call for today, so that is what I did.
At lunchtime today I got a call from a senior who went through a number of new diagnostic tests but had to admit, after an hour and a half, he could not fathom what was wrong. What he could say is that the storage info was correct, and I did have over 800Gb of storage space on the HD, but where the discrepancy lay was difficult to identify.
Next Wednesday I have an appointment at the Genius Bar to see if the hands-on can solve the conundrum. I think what will end up happening is a full operating system reset, to factory settings, then restore the operating system up to the capacity of this Happy Meal, which is OS 13.7.2 or Monterey. This will probably take some time, but will mean I will have the use of it, while my new Mac is set up (by me), and my old one has a full memory purge, which involves seven full memory erase scans, known as a N.A.S.A. level scan, so the memory is fully erased and back to factory settings, so any info n there is totally corrupted or removed. then I can dispose of it.
It is a pity I don't have the means to take it back to to be recycled, but it is around 30lbso or nearly 14kgs, too much to carry on the 
.
Hopefully by next weekend the new Big Mac will be set up, and the situation on the Happy Meal sorted.
MMF
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Latest reply: Jan 19, 2024
MMF has survived another year, and also glad to be back here!!!
Posted Jan 11, 2024
H2g2
Well, it has been a while. 
Managed to lose my password, which my Mac previously autosaved. It's taken me a while to get it reset but as it is a New Year, I've finally sorted it. Thanks to all who helped. 
So, what has been happening? A great deal. I hadn't realised I had been away for so long! 
I've taken a number of photographic courses at my local Adult college in Richmond. I skipped the basic course and went straight into the second level. Very useful. At the time I was using a Canon 700D camera but by the second course had upgraded to a Canon 750D. There was so much to learn but I enjoyed it. I studied still life and portraiture, which I didn't think I'd actually enjoy, but I found it quite rewarding. I used one of the students to recreate a painting by Rembrandt, and it came out very well. 
However I am not confident to approach people to try it again. 
I also created a photographic copy of a Dutch 
, of a memento more that hangs in the National gallery. that was a real challenge, especially adding smoke from the extinguished 
.
Finally, I took a UAL course in photography, getting a merit, which is meant to be the equivalent of two 'A' levels. . Unfortunately, a number of factors affected the qualification, Covid and also the college's lift to the studio didn�t work throughout the course. Very disappointing. However, I was pleased to get the qualification. I went on to do another course, which was extra-curricular, so I didn't get any financial support for that. It was about liminal photography. Never heard of �Liminal'. I found that course tough but discovered an interest in 'Desire' paths. These are non-designated paths created by people sometimes taking short cuts, or just paths to nowhere.
I bought a mirrorless camera, which expanded my interest and, having two old redundant Canon cameras, a 700D and 750D, the latter having been replaced by a 760D, I decided to get them converted to infra-red. This involved removing a number of filters from the camera, so that one is 720nm (mainly black and white, with a little colour) and 590nm (giving false colour). These are really fun to use. On my second non-curricular course I played around with these but, as I had only had them for a month before the end of the course, the Tutor's critique was quite harsh, so I decided not to take anymore courses in photography. I am hoping to experiment a little more in the summer, this time with Cyanotype.
Details here: http://www.gathered.how/arts-crafts/guide-to-cyanotype-printing
I wanted to continue with studying, to keep the grey matter busy, so started a French course. I skipped the initial basic course, hoping my schoolboy French would be sufficient, which it was. Again, it was a challenge as the first two courses were conducted online. I'm now on my fourth course, which is upper intermediate. It doesn't have a qualification, but I am finding it interesting and useful. I enjoy the comparisons between English and French, and the Etymology.
So. Covid. Like everyone, this was a tough time, especially as my Mum was in the 'at risk' group. She had a Carer coming in twice each day, to feed her and give her a wash. I had to do the shopping, so I travelled to the shops on my mobility scooter, avoiding public transport and managed, somehow, for us both to avoid catching it. Mum had dementia, as well as lung cancer which radiotherapy initially cleared up, but it returned. Unfortunately, after two years of suffering and losing a great deal of weight, she succumbed, dying in October 2021. Throughout my fianc� had provided support and visited most weekends. Mum, unfortunately, had largely taken a dislike to her, possibly she saw her as a threat and that she might move in. It meant when we were out on a Saturday, we had to stay out until 10 o'clock, coming home hoping she'd gone to 
. If she hadn't we sat in my bedroom with a G&T like naughty teenagers. 
In 2022, L, my fianc� bought an apartment overlooking Kew Bridge, 100m from my flat. Between then and May this year, she and my Sister helped declutter the flat, with loads going to Charity, and on the 2nd May 2022, I finally moved in! 
.
I have also taken to making homemade sloe gin and sloe port by the litre, using different sugar bases, like demerara, light and dark brown sugar, muscovado sugar. The next three batches will be with golden syrup, treacle and molasses. They have largely been given away to friends in 100ml bottles at Christmas time, especially our friends who work at Kew. They have proved to be very popular. 
We are slowly settling in together. Still half a dozen boxes to unpack but life is settling into a routine. We've a season ticket to Ealing Trailfinders' Women's rugby team, being local and also in the championship. Both L and I enjoy rugby but have really taken to the Women's game. We also visit Kew gardens every Sunday. When we get the opportunity we go on fibreglass trails, created by Wild in Art. It gets us out and means we photograph different towns and cities.
Details here:
http://wildinart.co.uk/events/
It is possible we may get married this year and we are looking at Kew Gardens as our venue. I have four bottles of Sipsmith Gin waiting to be converted into Sloe Gin for our guests at the reception. We hope it goes down just as well.
Happy New Year to you all and hopefully, this year, there will be another Meet, as it has been ages. Happy to arrange one in London for those interested.
MMF
Discuss this Journal entry [15]
Latest reply: Jan 11, 2024
h2g2 news exclusive. Well. Nearly.
Posted Oct 12, 2017
Fresh of the press. 
Read all about it. 
A NEW Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy radio show. 
Yes. That is right. You didn't misread helium gas in the gas tank ready to blow as Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy radio show. 
It is really a thing. On Radio serious next year with the original cast.
Mark Jones as Arthur Dent, Geoff McGivern as Ford Prefect and Mark Wing-Dave as Zaphod Beeblebrox.
Dirk Maggs is producing Eoin Colfer's And Anithrr Thing, with additional material from Douglas Adams' material.
Spread the news oh Happy Froods!!!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-to/hitchhikers-guide-galaxy-will-return-new-series-2018/amp/
Discuss this Journal entry [9]
Latest reply: Oct 12, 2017
MMF - Absent without leave.
Posted Sep 18, 2015
It's been a while since I posted anything serious here, for which I apologise. Life has rather taken over. In fact, it is just as well that I'm not working, otherwise I'd not fit it all in.
So. What has been happening?
Firstly, I was 
enough to be given a mobility scooter last July by a family friend. Needed a bit of attention, but meant I could actually get to cover more than a kilometre a day. This was a real benefit, especially as it meant my girlfriend didn't need to drag her knuckles on the ground like some Neanderthal. It also meant that we could get out and about more as, being a travel scooter, it could be taken on the train and tube.
It's first real try out was going around London doing the Bookbench trails. This put it through it's aces and showed that I'd been sensible getting a spare battery for it, as the Greenwich trail killed the battery very quickly. Without it I'd have been stranded at the observatory. Primrose Hill was also a trial too. It couldn't cope with steep slopes or hills.
http://www.booksabouttown.org.uk
It also meant that when I went to my annual holiday in Broadstairs, to my Dad's for Broadstairs Folk Week, I could both get to events, and spend more time with the family. The last weekend was also my G/f and I's first anniversary (Is that English? 
)
October - January was another trail, this time it was a trail of London's new Routemaster buses, decorated to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the London bus. Not full size buses, but 1m high scale versions. These were placed in different areas of London, on dedicated routes. It was so good to be able to complete trails, unlike previous ones where I'd be too tired and would run out of time.
http://www.wildinart.co.uk/yotb/3303
At the same time was the Paddington Trail. This was another fibreglass art trail, of Paddington Bear, to promote the Paddington Bear movie. This was great fun, and as usual, a number were't there when I went looking. This was the main cause of my tiredness on previous trails. my GG friends would post updates on social media to cut down on time hunting, and also whether they were disability friendly.
http://www.thisispaddington.com/public-art-trail/#/
It was around this time that my G/f became fascinated with The Battle Bus. This is a restored 1914 Type B bus that actually went to the Front in WWI, carrying troops. Over 1,000 were built and deployed by General bus company. so we happily went travelling following it where it went. The best was a weekend in Brighton for the Veteran Heavy Goods and Commercial Vehicle run. A soggy day but we missed most of it, thankfully. We saw it on quite a number of occasions subsequently, and my G/f was 
when sitting on it, or chatting to Tim, the driver, and Cattriona, his 2IC.
http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/collections/projects-partnerships/battle-bus
And then there was another trail. This time in March, again promoting a movie. Shaun the Sheep.This was a trail of 50 Shauns again dotted around London.
http://shauninthecity.org.uk
Another great jaunt around London. So set off on Thursday 30th March. Managed 5 sheep, then catastrophe. The scooter broke down at Leicester Square. Not just a temporary break.A terminal one. No power. The drive had gone. Worse, the rear offside wheel kept locking every 2-3m. My poor G/f really struggled pushing it from there to Trafalgar Square so I could get it home.
Now came the fun. Attempting to get a new scooter in time for Easter as my G/f had taken time off so we could get out to do all the Shauns. The one I had ordered was the Shoprider Wispa.
http://www.orangebadge.co.uk/roma-shoprider-wispa/
It didn't work out that way. I must have bought from the company previously and they were attempting to deliver to my old flat. It eventually arrived 10 days late, so put paid to our Easter. Luckily it took the same batteries as my previous scooter, so it saved a little. However it was slower and more unstable than my previous model such that I 'capsized' it twice and, eventually, had to return it and get a totally different model, but one that was faster, more stable and had a greater range, so opted for the Pride Go-Go Traveller LX.
http://www.recare.co.uk/products/pride-go-go-elite-traveller-lx.html
I don't use the basket, and have a mirror, lights and anti-static strip fitted, as well as carrying a spare battery. However I didn't get this until later. Read on.
http://www.recare.co.uk/products/pride-go-go-elite-traveller-lx.html
It now meant I could complete the Shaun trails.
May led us to Bristol, and the 2nd part of the Shaun trail. This involved 70 Shauns, but over a greater area than the ones in London. We had almost 3 days to complete it. A tall order.
Our first real trail was in Ashton, in Somerset. We followed the trail, as laid out, only to find it was taking the long route, all uphill. And yes. I ran out of juice 100m shy of the golf clubhouse. And it was a warm day. My poor G/f was once again employed as Sherpa, pushing it to the club house3 with me holding on behind. Once there (around 30 minutes of stop-start pushing/crawling) we made it. Thankfully the proprietor very kindly allowed us to connect to the mains and get some power into the beast.
After an hour we headed off again to Clifton Suspension bridge. Here I was head down, staring at the pavement and cursing the dawdlers/ gawkers that were getting in my way. I do NOT like heights. At all. So no photographs of the Gorge or the River Avon. Managed around 7 Shauns before she died again. This time, we man-handled her onto a taxi and got her back to the hotel. It was then that I decided to spend £130 on a spare battery. We managed 46 of
the 70 Shauns, but luckily all 120 will be at Covent Garden, so we can round up the part of the flock we didn't see. Hate not completing these trails!
May was also when my G/f went on her annual holiday to Japan for 2 weeks. And no, I don't go with her. Too expensive, not overly interested and it is her holiday. I'd slow her down, with many areas being inaccessible, and she deserves a break from me. But there is Skype!.
A couple of years ago, whilst visiting my regular haunt, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, which I probably visit around three times a month, I chanced to meet up with a crowd on a Treasure Hunt, which they won. Afterwards I met the organiser, who asked if I'd be happy to help him in setting.checking the clues. So during June and July I was out checking them, weather allowing.
Then, in July, we visited the G/f's father both to see him, and also to slay another trail. this time, Go, Go, Dragons. I didn't have my scooter this time, but did avail myself of Shopmobility. A great help. Another completed trail, with the massive help of the G/f's father.
http://gogodragons.co.uk
And there were two other trails to follow, this time celebrating the 800th year of the Magna Carta, with Barons. One was in Salisbury, where again, I availed myself of Shopmobility, while the second was Lincoln.
The Salisbury one was tricky, as it is very hilly, and one part, that I wear not allowed to use their scooter on, was Steep Hlll. And it was true to it's name. Unfortunately it had to be tackled as there were two Barons half way down. It was very hairy. Not the hill. But scary. I had to put the scooter at it's lowest speed, feet out and gently coax it down. The pavements had large smooth flags so occasionally the scooter would skid, while the road was sets/cobbles which are extremely uncomfortable to drive over, and cause the bladder to become very uncomfortable. Halfway down we found the Barons, but in such a place I couldn't photograph them. Enter my assistant, the G/f. Unfortunately the second half of the hill was too steep for the scooter, or at least, I wash't prepared to risk it. This meant getting the scooter, and me, onto the road, as there was no drop-kerb. Thankfully there was a family with two adult men in the party, so by leaning on one, and the other and his wife carefully pushing the scooter into the road, we managed. The rest went without a hitch.
The Lincoln trail faltered before we'd even left King's Cross as the train we were booked onto was defective, and entailed a change at Newark. Unfortunately the link for the Newark-Lincoln train only worked once an hour . There was another train going to Newark, but arrived as the Newark-Lincoln train was leaving. Thankfully Virgin kindly laid on a taxi to carry both of us, and the scooter. Lincoln is a small city, so I didn't need to avail myself of Shopmobility. The weather looked inclement but cheered up as soon as we left the station. Had a great time, but would have liked to visit for longer. Much better than Salisbury, that seemed fairly bland for a big city. far more to see in Lincoln.
Salisbury
http://www.thebaronscharter.org.uk/trail/
Lincoln
http://www.lincolnbarons.com
August was another trip to Broadstairs and Broadstairs Folk Week 50th Anniversary, and my 49th There was also the Sculptures in the City trail. This was the 5th trail to be arranged, including works by Damien Hurst and Ai Wei Wei. The latter was very hard to photograph, and we went on a day when the skies opened and in 10 minutes I doubt we had an inch of dry clothes between us.
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/visit-the-city/art-architecture/sculpture-in-the-city/Pages/default.aspx
Another trail was 5 Rugby Balls in and around Twickenham. Theses were decorated in the colours of the four home Nations, and a fifth with Try-It on it. Unfortunately I could't find a link, only the Richmond planning application.
So that is the bulk of the excitement I've been having.
However all has not been fun.
My mother has been diagnosed with a combination of dementia/Alzheimers, so there have been visits to the Big and Little Houses (aka Hospital and Dr's surgery). On top of that, she was also diagnosed with lung cancer. Due to her history of heart attacks the former cannot be helped with medication, and the latter meant surgery was out, but radiotherapy cleared it. Unfortunately she now has intense pain in the lower left side of her abdomen, which may be another cancer. Awaiting further tests. Myself? I have been diagnosed with tendonitis in the right shoulder, plus tennisball elbow and, ironically, fiddler's elbow in the right elbow. This has probably been caused by my walking cane, and exasperated by the paddle on the scooter, so on Co-Drydamol in the morning, and Co-Codomol in the evening, plus Ramipril for high blood pressure, and Ranitidine for reflux.
With my Mum and I paying visits, as well as sorting other things like Power of Attorney etc it has kept me busy.
Just to put the cherry on top, I also had to sort out my ATOS claim, plus monies the Council said we owed (which they thankfully backed down on) and now I have my PIP tom resolve as my DLA expires in January.
So, as you can see, I've had a very busy year.
And apologise for not being about much, particularly for not using Trello, or staying in touch. I would very much like to get back to being involved with the h2g2 artists, and finish some of my entries that are incomplete.
I'm hoping next year may be a little quieter, but I'm not too optimistic.
I do post on THAT other social media site, purely because it is quick and easy, as well as the odd Twit, for those interested, and hope to be back soon.
to all.
MMF
(Apologies for those that may have seen this. Posted in the wrong place. Meant to be on my Journal, so transferred it. And also apologies for it being so long. )
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Latest reply: Sep 18, 2015
To Hull. And back, hopefully.
Posted Sep 8, 2014
Next SaturdayL and I go away for the weekend, to Hull.
It had been a toss-up between Hull and Manchester but Hull was half the price, for both travel and accommodation.
We'll arrive around 14.20 on Saturday, booking into the Ibis hotel on Ferensway, before heading to the Information desk and a map of the Fish Trail and maybe other stuff too.
Supper will probably be at the Wetherspoon's around the corner from the hotel.
Sunday will be a trip to The Deep. Been three times before, but never tire of it, followed by the Fish trail, weather permitting. If the weather is poor then we'll visit the Hull Streetlife Museum.
Unsure of where we'll be eating that evening.
Monday we need to book out of the hotel, but will leave our bags there and head either for the marina or the museum quarter, before heading back to the Hotel and the station for the 15.10 train back to London.
Hoping for lots of good photographs, as well as happy memories.
Wonder if we'll find any of the toads.
MMF
Discuss this Journal entry [12]
Latest reply: Sep 8, 2014
MMF - Keeper of Mustelids, with added P.M.A., is now in a relationship.
Researcher U236774
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