I haven't been out today....yet. If the weather doesn't deteriorate I'll go out early evening to play bowls. I have played very infrequently this summer. A neighbour popped in for coffee this morning and I prepared and primed the kitchen window surround this afternoon. It's been a sunny day but the wind is cold and very strong. So I've been reading and catching up with blogs (but not doing much commenting).
I find it very odd that when I'm busy (which, thankfully, is most of the time) I get a lot more done than on those days when I've got all the time in the world to do things. By that I mean that when I have the time I seem to ignore my extensive 'to do' list instead of tackling it.
All sorts of blog ideas have passed through my mind over the last week but I've just not made the time to write a post. So now that I'm making that time all the ideas have deserted me.
I was reading of an insurance company which had turned down a claim after a burglary because the person had been posting on social media when they were on holiday with the obvious conclusion that they were not at home. It is a condition in many policies that the cover for burglary and the like will not apply if there has been such a post. That can be a major problem in the case of a claim, given that many people post where they are on Facebook when they are on holiday (and Facebook can be set to track you anyway). I rarely post on Facebook but occasionally comment and it can be obvious from that that I'm not at home.
It did make me think about the fact that I often blog to explain where I am or even blog about places where I am: many of us do. Living in a place where burglaries are virtually unknown I'm not too worried however if I lived elsewhere I would certainly curtain my activities.
Someone mentioned the use of car horns recently and the fact that they signified aggression and thus caused upset. I have been looking for a car horn which says 'thank you' - eg a two tone sound but I can't find one. Of course it's use would be illegal but it would be better than trying to give two sharp beep-beeps (which is also technically illegal). When I was young I undertook a police driving course for civilians and was, of course, guided by Roadcraft: the Police Driver's Handbook. That advised a press to warn of danger and a light tap accompanied by a raised hand as a polite warning. On the whole I find that this still works although the horn on my present car requires a lot of force to activate it.
PS The weather was windy and cold but I was able to play bowls under floodlights for the last day of the season. I played well enough to be quite pleased given that it's months since I last delivered a bowl.
Someone mentioned the use of car horns recently and the fact that they signified aggression and thus caused upset. I have been looking for a car horn which says 'thank you' - eg a two tone sound but I can't find one. Of course it's use would be illegal but it would be better than trying to give two sharp beep-beeps (which is also technically illegal). When I was young I undertook a police driving course for civilians and was, of course, guided by Roadcraft: the Police Driver's Handbook. That advised a press to warn of danger and a light tap accompanied by a raised hand as a polite warning. On the whole I find that this still works although the horn on my present car requires a lot of force to activate it.
PS The weather was windy and cold but I was able to play bowls under floodlights for the last day of the season. I played well enough to be quite pleased given that it's months since I last delivered a bowl.
Good post. It can be concerning how many bloggers post things that can put their security in danger. Insurance companies are into the blame game. I think a person could write a book on the horror stories victims experience.
ReplyDeleteMaywyn, I'm sure you are right although I've been exceptionally fortunate when I've made claims.
DeleteOh dear. I use Facebook a lot as it is the easiest way to let my family know what I am up to. I had hoped that by limiting my post security to Friends-only, nobody else would be able to see them. When we go away our close neighbour keeps an eye on our house and calls in every day to check all is OK. We don't have anything worth stealing but would prefer not to have to deal with the mess of a break-in!
ReplyDeleteJayCee, that was one reason why I started blogging and when I lived in New Zealand for 6 months every year everyone knew I was away (both here and in New Zealand).
DeleteBack when I was a waitress, I delivered oh, hundreds of bowls! Clam chowder, mostly... but also the occasional penne ala vodka.
ReplyDeleteAs for posting when I'm away... I try never to do it. I post about where I've been when I'm home safe again. And after I've uploaded and cropped and sharpened all my photos. And done the laundry. And fed the cats.
Car horns... normally I never use mine unless some git is sitting in front of me at a light that was formerly red but is now green but git doesn't know it because his face is buried in his cellphone. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! Wake up. If you're behind the wheel, effin drive!
I am now the proud owner of a tee shirt featuring the map used by the BBC Shipping Forecast! Egads, I love the shipping forecast. Trying to find a list of all the presenters who have ever read the forecast over the years, and cannot find it anywhere. I've also requested Peter Donaldson's book "And Now, The Shipping Forecast" from the library... can't wait to read it!
Marcheline, The Shipping Forecast used to be almost compulsory listening when I had the radio on a lot. Now I rely on apps to see what the weather is likely to be for the next ferry sailing and to see if it is likely to be cancelled. The book you mention is very familiar to me. I haven't read it but I'm wondering if someone gave it to me. If so it'll be in the huge 'to be read' pile upstairs.
DeleteI am sure that many people never think about the possiblity that an insurance claim might be refused if they've written about being away on Facebook. It's not entirely fair as sometimes people have house sitters, too.
ReplyDeleteJenny, it's possible that that could be a defence although in an area where there might be rich pickings I can see why an insurance company might include such a condition. In my case everyone knows when I've left the Island anyway.
DeleteAlthough I don't use Facebook, I am quite careful about what I post elsewhere. Not that it would make much of a difference, as if anyone were to break in, they'd have a struggle to find anything worth taking :)
ReplyDeleteJules, from your blog (unlike mine) it's unlikely anyone would know where you live anyway. On an Island everyone knows everything anyway.
DeleteWhen I get a blog topic in my head I try and write it down before I forget.
ReplyDeleteRed, so do I but that pre-supposes that I'm not gardening or driving at the time. Mind you I'm quite capable of forgetting what it was by the time I've got the pencil in my hand.
DeleteIt's interesting you mention the car horns, I know here it's common courtesy that if someone let's you in a queue or whatever you either wave your hand at them in a sort of light flicking motion or beep the horn quickly twice, I think it's a nice thing to do to acknowledge them.
ReplyDeleteAmy, in the UK the common thank you for letting someone into a queue is a quick flash of the hazard warning lights. So many cars hav security glass in the rear window that a wave cannot be seen from behind. Here with so many single track roads we spend a lot of time waving thanks as driver's give way.
DeleteMy people had a very large (and valuable) collection of matched, boxed, dueling pistols; mostly by Egg or Manton. Before going on an extended world tour they wondered what to do with their collection. The first thing they were told was NOT to insure them, as crooks all have someone inside the insurance companies who let them know what is where! Eventually they decided that the risk was too high, so I took the whole collection to Sotheby's, and they were sold.
ReplyDeleteCro, it's a sad thing to have to admit but there can be very few 'secret' collections worth money nowadays.
DeleteI know exactly what you mean about getting more done when we are already busy, and about many blog ideas when we do not have the time (or opportunity) to write them. Sometimes I've been to restaurants or cafés with hardly any other patrons about, meaning the waiters had not much to do. And it often were those places where we had to wait the longest for anyone to take our order, deliver it or allow us to pay. I guess when there is nothing to do, people tend to slip into passive mode, a kind of trance that is hard to shake off when something comes up that actually needs doing.
ReplyDeleteOn my blog, I often post that I will be away, and most of my readers know that I spend almost every weekend 150 km away from my flat. But as my flat is sandwiched between two others, and the couple on the ground floor are always at home, I am not in the least bit worried about any burglar taking advantage of such knowlwedge. Also, I'd be surprised if any German burglar from around my area would bother reading a blog in English only to find out whether I'd be a home or not.
Meike, the day about which I was writing I felt exactly as you described ie 'people tend to slip into passive mode, a kind of trance that is hard to shake off'. I was actually puzzled because I knew that irrational but still couldn't galvanise myself into action.
DeleteAn audible warning of approach used to be the car horn. Aggressive, get out of my way, hello neighbour and 'I support your protest' are now included in it's repertoire. Tootle-pip.
ReplyDeletePotty, you are absolutely right. I love the 'Tootle-pip'. That's what my Mum used to say. I might start using it and see what people say.
DeleteI never travel far from my own four walls. I'm becoming more and more reclusive...by choice; and enjoy being a hermit. One look at me and burglar would run in fear, anyway! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure, Lee, that you're really a pussy-cat just masquerading as a wolf.
DeleteI only post about holidays when I return. In part because I don't have access to when away, and also because I want to enjoy my time away from a computer etc... As I go on my own to NZ, our house isn't left unoccupied so I have posted the occasional picture on IG, but again I wouldn't do that if we were both away. In amazes me how often people do post about how long they are going to be away for and where they are going etc...
ReplyDeleteI suspect, Serenata, that most people have never even thought about the problem. As I said, living where I do, everyone knew that I was in New Zealand for 6 months of the year anyway. One thing about living on an Island where housebreaking is virtually unheard of is that it's too far from anywhere for anyone on the mainland to come to for that purpose.
DeleteYes that would definitely be an advantage...and hopefully friends and neighbours keep an eye out anyway while you were away.
DeleteThey do indeed, Serenata.
DeleteIs that the odour of procrastination that I detect - emerging from your blog? In my opinion, there's a lot to be said for lazy downtime. Sometimes both the brain and the body benefit from a healthy measure of aimless idleness.
ReplyDeleteYP, procrastination! Moi? Never! I certainly agree with your last sentence and, indeed, have written the occasional post about, or alluding to, dolce far niente literally 'sweet doing nothing'. For Italians - and I suspect they are the only people who have perfected this art and it, as much as the Mediterranean diet, may have a lot to do with their longevity.
DeleteI too write a lot more in my head than I ever get round to transferring to paper or computer... Which means I'm keeping myself a lot busier than anyone would think by watching me! When I was away on holiday I did post on Facebook - but only to be seen by friends, and many of them living abroad (as do most of the readers of my blog). I doubt it would count as high-risk behaviour. (Possibly I'll change my mind after having read the book I've just started on - Permanent Record by Edward Snowden...)
ReplyDeleteMonica, my problem is my forgettory. I would have said 'memory' but that presupposes that one is capable of remembering. Of course I am....occasionally and things which I don't need to remember. However, my forgettory is excellent.
DeleteGood for you with the bowling and in not so good weather. It is a worry about telling people when you are away. Big brother is watching you everywhere these days.
ReplyDeleteDiane, here everyone knows when I go away anyway but at the moment I'm erring on the side of caution. Blogging isn't quite such a public medium as Facebook either.
DeleteGood to catch up with your doings, Graham. I've been avoiding blogland and trying to stay focused on my latest project which must be finished before I go away next (shhh, can't tell you where and when). But one sight of that mountain and I'll just have to share. I think my daily life is too dull to share on Facebook and usually can't resist sharing anything out of the ordinary. Glad you have been enjoying bowls.
ReplyDeletePauline, I can't wait to hear and see where you're going or will have been! My life is pretty dull to all except me (and I'm very easily kept amused) so I don't blog very often now although I still love Blogland. That means that I sometimes forget to check the moderated comments. So your comments haven't disappeared just been temporarily delayed.
DeleteHi Graham, My comments disappear. Or maybe it's me. So lovely to see you and your camera out doing your thing.
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