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Post by freddiemercurystwin on Dec 5, 2021 21:48:31 GMT
Two years ago I got a proper expensive winter coat for my dog walking. I was alway struggling with the weather in the autumn and winter. This fucking coat changed everything. I go out with a t-shirt on and this cost and come back boiling hot regardless of the weather or temperature outside. A really good winter coat cannot be underestimated, I also wear some Sorel winter boots to ensure my feet remain warm during anything, I've actually been so toasty I've fallen asleep whilst sat on a park bench in the depths of winter when its been about 2°C whilst my moronic kids scoot about in nothing more than a jumper. |
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ekz
New Member
O_o
Posts: 695
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Post by ekz on Dec 6, 2021 5:24:02 GMT
A dishwasher. Horrible, horrible gift, but having not had one prior to the last five years, I could never go back to washing my own plates. My sisters partner got her one for her last birthday. Surprised he's still alive tbh |
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Post by Tonka (🐑,🪤) on Dec 6, 2021 5:54:41 GMT
A deBuyer carbon steel frying pan. My gods it's amazing. After 2 years it's more noon stick than any non stick frying pan I've ever had, and I used real metal tools in it all the time. So nice to not fuck about with plastic spatulas, tongs, and whisks. And it keeps the heat. AND it's actually CHEAPER than a "high end" non stick frying pan. But, since it's not covered with a chemical film, you need to know what your doing, or you'll ruin it. On the other hand, it can be saved, so never really ruined. I've always wanted one of these because I 100% do not trust any kind of non-stick coating given their long history of being continually revealed as toxic (to a greater or lesser degree), but the idea that I could ruin it terrifies me. Are they easy to take care of? And how easy are they to save? Don't use washing liquids in them Rinse and wipe and scrape Sometimes you need to season them by frying coarse salt, and potato peels in oil youtu.be/-suTmUX4VbkIt's all rather simple. Final bit it's too make sure it's hot before you put something in. |
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Post by jonsend on Dec 6, 2021 7:15:53 GMT
Thumb turn locks on my rear doors.
Electric mattress cover.
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Post by LegendaryApe on Dec 6, 2021 7:26:58 GMT
Thumb turn locks on my rear doors. Electric mattress cover. Well someone's fastidious about their back passage security.. |
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Lizard
Junior Member
I love ploughmans
Posts: 4,481
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Post by Lizard on Dec 6, 2021 7:35:11 GMT
Thumb turn locks on my rear doors. Electric mattress cover. Well someone's fastidious about their back passage security.. It might be a kink thing. |
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hedben
Junior Member
Formerly: hedben2013
Posts: 2,201
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Post by hedben on Dec 6, 2021 8:37:55 GMT
The pan talk reminded me of mine:
Induction hob.
We got a new kitchen a couple of years ago and went with an induction hob by Indesit. I was skeptical at first because gas hobs are much better than crappy electric ones, but this thing is amazing. Frying took a bit of getting used to because it's so fast, and a bit easy to accidentally burn things if you put them on too high- but once you get used to it it's great. And boiling is quicker than a kettle - when I make pasta now, I just heat the water from cold on the hob, it's up to boiling ridiculously quickly.
Also - having 5 hobs is nice (partly because there's a coeliac and a vegetarian in my house so I have to juggle pans around a lot)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2021 9:06:53 GMT
Actually, I hjust remembered the one thing I bought myself which has been the most life changing and that was laser surgery on my eyes. I went from blind as a bat, mole creature to 22/20 vision (I didn't even know there was a thing called 22/20 vision). By far the best money I've ever spent on myself.
I am starting to need glasses again now for reading, but I'm old enough that I no longer give a toss. But back in the day, the difference it made to my day to day life was incredible. Even little things like not having to scrabble for my glasses in the night when I woke up needing the loo.
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Post by dfunked on Dec 6, 2021 9:28:46 GMT
hedben - yeah, we've started talking about replacing our shit gas hob with an induction one. Once you've lived with one it's very hard to go back. I just love how easy they are to keep clean as well.
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Post by Bill in the rain on Dec 6, 2021 10:36:02 GMT
For all those saying earbuds, do you ever have issues with interference? I have wireless earbuds and I agree that they're very convenient, but while they work great if I'm listening at home or in the office, as soon as I step outside in a crowded area, or get on a crowded train, they start breaking up. I've had a similar issue with a wireless amp I used before, so I'm wondering if it's my phone having a weak bluetooth transmitter or something. I'm loath to get another pair if they'll have the same issue. I've just broken my third small French press in less than a year (cutting my finger badly in the process this time), so I've now got to spend the next few weeks without coffee hoping that the only item on my Christmas list I actually need gets bought. I'm not sure I'd say it dramatically improved my life, but an AeroPress is a great way to make coffee. Similar to a french press, but without all the cleaning that I hated. Plus should be much better for cholesterol if you're of an age to start worrying about that kinda crap. Shark fin mouse mat has helped my RSI massively which is good. What is this? Cos I need anything I can get for RSI! Yoga mat worked for me too and three couple of months I did yoga, I felt a lot happier. I need to get back into that (yoga with Adrienne). Yeah, I'm not sure if Yoga exactly is for me, but I'm wondering if the trick is to get something that is the start of a new hobby that I enjoy, rather than just a 'thing'. Eg: gym membership or something. Though not that cos I hate gyms. A guitar maybe. Or a skateboard (but that might kill me, and is probably midlife crisis talk) I'd like to start climbing or martial arts, but given Covid it doesn't seem the time. Actually, I just remembered the one thing I bought myself which has been the most life changing and that was laser surgery on my eyes. I went from blind as a bat, mole creature to 22/20 vision (I didn't even know there was a thing called 22/20 vision). By far the best money I've ever spent on myself. I am starting to need glasses again now for reading, but I'm old enough that I no longer give a toss. But back in the day, the difference it made to my day to day life was incredible. Even little things like not having to scrabble for my glasses in the night when I woke up needing the loo. Are you me?? I had laser surgery about 15 years ago and yeah, that definitely was one thing that made a big difference in my life. I never liked wearing glasses, and contacts were such a hassle. (Especially if you got drunk and forgot to take them out before sleeping, and woke up with your eyes crusted together with silicon). |
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Post by dfunked on Dec 6, 2021 10:44:47 GMT
@bill_(ButNotBen) yeah, aeropress is already on my list. Seems like the perfect fit for me.
I use airpods and a pair of Sony XM3 and have never had a problem with interference when out and about.
Never got on with the style of headphones with silicon bits that you jam down your earholes, so will probably go for a pair of OnePlus or similar when the airpods finally croak it. Means I miss out on noise cancelling, but I'd rather have a comfortable fit (and just break out the XM3 if I need noise cancelling)
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mrpon
Junior Member
Posts: 3,730
Member is Online
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Post by mrpon on Dec 6, 2021 10:54:01 GMT
Bose Frames - perfect for sunny running days, kills two birds.
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lexw
New Member
Posts: 858
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Post by lexw on Dec 6, 2021 11:36:55 GMT
I've always wanted one of these because I 100% do not trust any kind of non-stick coating given their long history of being continually revealed as toxic (to a greater or lesser degree), but the idea that I could ruin it terrifies me. Are they easy to take care of? And how easy are they to save? Don't use washing liquids in them Rinse and wipe and scrape Sometimes you need to season them by frying coarse salt, and potato peels in oil youtu.be/-suTmUX4VbkIt's all rather simple. Final bit it's too make sure it's hot before you put something in. Thank you, I'll watch the video and see if my ADHD self could cope with that! |
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dogbot
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Post by dogbot on Dec 6, 2021 11:48:53 GMT
Yoga mat worked for me too and three couple of months I did yoga, I felt a lot happier. I need to get back into that (yoga with Adrienne). Yeah, I'm not sure if Yoga exactly is for me, but I'm wondering if the trick is to get something that is the start of a new hobby that I enjoy, rather than just a 'thing'. Eg: gym membership or something. Though not that cos I hate gyms. A guitar maybe. Or a skateboard (but that might kill me, and is probably midlife crisis talk) I'd like to start climbing or martial arts, but given Covid it doesn't seem the time. I would highly recommend Yoga. It's weird to start with but once you start to get into it, it's actually really great exercise. Skateboarding, on the other hand... whilst being great fun, is a nightmare to take up (or take up again) as an older person. I think I've had more bumps and scrapes in the last 10 years trying to do the things I could easily manage when I was a youth on a bloody skateboard than I have anything else. I still love it, but be prepared to hurt. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2021 12:03:06 GMT
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Post by Bill in the rain on Dec 6, 2021 12:07:48 GMT
Ah. I very nearly bought one of those 6 months back, but went with a trackball instead.
It seemed to help a bit, but not entirely.
I'm still using a regular mouse at work, but I've been considering getting a cheap vertical mouse for the office.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2021 12:12:17 GMT
Yeah, I'm not sure if Yoga exactly is for me, but I'm wondering if the trick is to get something that is the start of a new hobby that I enjoy, rather than just a 'thing'. Eg: gym membership or something. Though not that cos I hate gyms. A guitar maybe. Or a skateboard (but that might kill me, and is probably midlife crisis talk) I'd like to start climbing or martial arts, but given Covid it doesn't seem the time. I would highly recommend Yoga. It's weird to start with but once you start to get into it, it's actually really great exercise. Skateboarding, on the other hand... whilst being great fun, is a nightmare to take up (or take up again) as an older person. I think I've had more bumps and scrapes in the last 10 years trying to do the things I could easily manage when I was a youth on a bloody skateboard than I have anything else. I still love it, but be prepared to hurt. Yeah, you were saying how we are maybe seperated twins... I've done martial arts (got to orange belt in kung fu) and eventually thought I felt like an idiot doing the katas beside little kids. I got a violin and its been gathering dust this last year. I got a guitar years ago and similar. Yoga with Adrienne is a great way of relaxing and get some flexibility back and some perspective. I enjoyed it the couple of months I did it (it costs nothing). She's quite cute too which helps. As far as laser surgery (got mine 20 years ago), its been great. No more infections or problems from contacts (I had a very bad infection from a set of supposedly keep in for days contacts) and no more breaking my glasses or having them steam up. However, I still remember the day I went to get my eyes done, I was sat in reception and picked up the Mail to find "My laser therapy nightmare" spread over two pages inside. I read it and when I was called, I handed it in to the receptionists and said "you might want to keep this out of the waiting room" . Quite a scary procedure, especially with a cooking chicken smell to accompany it. |
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Post by Bill in the rain on Dec 6, 2021 12:15:03 GMT
yeah, the toasty smell was a bit off-putting.  I think if I was to do something like Yoga, I'd want to sign up to a class otherwise I'd probably give up after 2 weeks. But I'm not sure about group classes at the moment. I feel like if I had a guitar I could just chill out on the sofa with it, rather than attempting to become a maestro or something. |
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dogbot
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Posts: 8,738
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Post by dogbot on Dec 6, 2021 12:28:15 GMT
I started off doing Yoga classes years ago. A couple at a previous employer were big fans. She taught classes and he attended, so I started going and it was great.
We mostly just do it at home now (me and the wife). I've done the Yoga with Adrienne stuff on YouTube and her stuff is really good, but it's a bit chilled sometimes. We really like the Vinyasa (flows) which involve a bit more movement from one pose to another and are really good once you get a bit more supple and experienced.
Re: Guitar, that's mostly what I do. Sit on the sofa with the guitar and Ultimate Guitar open on some chord page, with the dog looking at me like "but Daddy, why make noise with stick?". It's also good chilling.
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Post by dfunked on Dec 6, 2021 12:30:30 GMT
Yeah, a guitar is something I've hinted at actually. All of my hobbies at the moment seem to revolve around a screen, so would be nice to have something that provides a break from that (well apart from all of the YouTube tutorials I'd probably end up watching)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2021 12:46:19 GMT
I think anything I get that means I can make shit in turn makes me happy. I got a typewriter for my 40th earlier in the year for example, which kickstared me writing again and I've been very content churning out substandard shit on it for months now. Any instruments I own as well. If I'm not creating something I'm a right miserable cunt. Doesn't matter what the rest of my life is like. My happiness seems to be defined purely by the fact that I've made something that day or not. My wife is very (perhaps too) patient with me, knowing this. Obviously I'm incredibly happy with my family and I couldn't be without them, but there's always something missing that sends me on a downer if I've not created.
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Post by 😎 on Dec 6, 2021 12:53:15 GMT
Following on from the pan thing, any high quality cooking gear in general - a set of high quality knives can legit transform cooking in unexpected ways. When you’re actually slicing instead of brute forcing with a cheap dull knife you get better flavor (a dull knife will bruise vegetables, create uneven surfaces for poorer heat contact in searing, and can easily chip and get knife fragments in food.) You’re also way more likely to cut yourself with a dull knife due to the extra pressure you need to use, which in turn leads to further blunting and dulling.
Properly learning how to cut food with them as well is worth it. Consistent speedy prep with easy clean up. I can thinly dice an onion in seconds.
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Post by dfunked on Dec 6, 2021 13:05:03 GMT
Yeah, pro onion chopping gang here and it's an absolute game changer. Also cuts down on onion tears as you're discarding the root, which is the main cause of those.
I'd be happy with pretty much any decent kitchen stuff.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2021 13:05:44 GMT
I could do with more knives now you mention it. We're still using our wedding knives and they are blunt as fuck. I'd be better off punching the shit out of my carrots than trying to cut them.
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Post by jeepers on Dec 6, 2021 13:11:42 GMT
Get yourself some cheap (to start) diamond stones and sharpen your knives. Easier to learn than it seems when you first start and having crazy sharp knives makes food prep a joy.
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dogbot
Full Member
Posts: 8,738
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Post by dogbot on Dec 6, 2021 13:13:24 GMT
Absolutely concur about knives.
I got a set of Global knives this year and they have been a game changer. They're expensive, but they're fantastic.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2021 13:22:21 GMT
Get yourself some cheap (to start) diamond stones and sharpen your knives. Easier to learn than it seems when you first start and having crazy sharp knives makes food prep a joy. No idea about that sort of thing. What should I be looking at? |
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Post by Tonka (🐑,🪤) on Dec 6, 2021 14:10:35 GMT
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Post by Tonka (🐑,🪤) on Dec 6, 2021 14:11:19 GMT
Also get an old fashioned kettle rather than one with a cord. They don't need replacing every third year or so.
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Post by Techno Hippy on Dec 6, 2021 14:14:03 GMT
I was about to start a similar thread - a bought a bath pillow a few weeks ago and it's revolutionised bathing :-) So comfortable.
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