OP
OP
briantrumpet
Timewaster
Who knew that the word 'mentor' came from the name a character in The Odyssey? (That's also noted in the OED, BTW.)
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OP
OP
briantrumpet
Timewaster
Ha. Awesome. A real beetle makes light work of a much bigger robot beetle.
https://bsky.app/profile/yourdigitalbrain.bsky.social/post/3mqwnrgyywl2c
https://bsky.app/profile/yourdigitalbrain.bsky.social/post/3mqwnrgyywl2c
OP
OP
briantrumpet
Timewaster
Ha, success. I parked up my car for its long summer lay-off by the side of the road, and disconnected the battery. The front n/s door is operated by an old-fashioned key, so that's how I regain entry when I need to get in again to release the bonnet (by cable latch).
But then someone put up scaffolding over the pavement so I could only open the (manually-locked door about 9 inches), and I really wanted to move it before they dismantle the scaffolding sometime in August, (guessing they'll want to park the lorry alongside, and anyway, I'd not moved the car in about two months).
Since the back windows are manual winding, I *just* managed (I've got long arms) to reach the window winder, wind the back window down, climb in through the window and clamber through to the driver's seat to release the bonnet, then climb back out through said window to lift the bonnet and connect the battery. Now the car's moved to a different place where no-one can possibly put a scaffolding pole in the one place to prevent me getting back into the car. Lesson learnt! Battery disconnected again.
From past experience, the Almera should start up first time in late October, or whenever it is I next need it. Looks like another year of <1000 miles. Almost certainly I won't replace it when it dies, but it's survived 23 years and is still going strong.
But then someone put up scaffolding over the pavement so I could only open the (manually-locked door about 9 inches), and I really wanted to move it before they dismantle the scaffolding sometime in August, (guessing they'll want to park the lorry alongside, and anyway, I'd not moved the car in about two months).
Since the back windows are manual winding, I *just* managed (I've got long arms) to reach the window winder, wind the back window down, climb in through the window and clamber through to the driver's seat to release the bonnet, then climb back out through said window to lift the bonnet and connect the battery. Now the car's moved to a different place where no-one can possibly put a scaffolding pole in the one place to prevent me getting back into the car. Lesson learnt! Battery disconnected again.
From past experience, the Almera should start up first time in late October, or whenever it is I next need it. Looks like another year of <1000 miles. Almost certainly I won't replace it when it dies, but it's survived 23 years and is still going strong.
PurplePenguin
Über Member
Forgive my car ignorance, but don't they typically have four doors which offer access?
Also, you clearly don't have the number of parking suspensions that pop up in my neck of the woods.
OP
OP
briantrumpet
Timewaster
Yes, four doors, but only one will unlock (with the old-fashioned key) without the battery being connected, even once you're inside.
And no, we don't - though I do try to foresee any likely roadworks/events. And I leave a key with a friend if I'm going to be away for several weeks, just in case something unforeseen happens while I'm away that needs the car moved.
OP
OP
briantrumpet
Timewaster
Ok, which of you is this using your real name?
OP
OP
briantrumpet
Timewaster
It always makes my eyebrows wiggle when a person paid to use words for their job, especially in something as prestigious as the FT, doesn't use the right ones. As a musician, I'm paid to play the right notes in the right order.
"... as first reported by I".
"... as first reported by I".
Electric_Andy
Regular
I thought it's ok to say Chris Smyth and I? It's unusually formal but grammatically correct?
AndyRM
Elder Goth
I was taught that you take out the preceeding words, so "Chris Smyth and" then use the appropriate word. So you would say "as first reported by I earlier", you'd say "as first reported by me earlier".
I suppose there's nothing dramatically wrong with it really, but it does sound weird.
C R
Legendary Member
But that omits the shared attribution.
Beebo
Legendary Member
These are the correct ways.
Chris and I first reported it.
It was first reported by Chris and me.
You can remove Chris and it still makes sense.
Ian H
Shaman
You have an eye for an I, methinks.
midlandsgrimpeur
Prostrate Member
As someone who lived in London for 20 odd years, this is one of the main reasons I don't really go back. Finding a good hotel in central London seems to be in excess of £250 a night ex. breakfast now.
PurplePenguin
Über Member
When choosing between me and I it is always better to err on the side of sounding stupid rather than pretentious. Obviously just getting it right is another option.
