290420 Bid at auction...and, won; made a really big mistake...instead, of buying 3 items/accidentally, I went and brought 10!

(This post is being written n the 30th of April 2020.)

AUCTION

After having gone and signed up at...

http://www.ibidder.com

...I seem to have developed a strong interest in following online auctions, regularly, including...

- Haddon & James

- Shepherds Auctions

-etc.

This can be seen as being both a good/bad thing. 

On the one hand, through doing a lot of online surfing...checking out this and that price/goods...it's possible to buy goods going way beneath their usual price...sometimes, costing as low as £2.00 wholesale(buy multiples).

On the other hand, what initially may seem like being a 'total bargain' to begin with...might not be so at all...because one has to add on all sorts of 'other charges', including...

- the auction house hammer fee

- VAT

- P&P/Postage & Packing costs 

...then, again, because you are buying goods being seen from only at a 'remote' distance...so, there is no way to fully determine if the goods you buy are either whole/or else, do have missing parts...or, in the case of electronic goods...are actually working/or, not; that is, not until when you do actually get it in through your door; and, even, then, there is no question of returning back items that don't work! Basically, you brought it...and, the risk you are taking is...if it don't work...then, you just have to 'keep' it, anyway.

My own previous experience is...most of the auction goods one buys online will work, properly; however, there is always that 2% that don't work/or else, has missing parts...?! 

I distinctly recall giving a musical instrument pack to one of my cousins; only when they opened up the package...they found it was not working. How deeply embarrassing is that...?! 

Maybe, before one considers giving others any present from an auction buy...; then, it might be far better to open up the box...and, go test it out yourself, first.  

HADDON & JAMES

I brought auction goods costing: £300+.

I didn't meant to spend such a high amount; but, most unfortunately, I went and brought 10 of one item costing £18.00 each; when I was actually meant to have brought just 3, instead. (All I can say is, next time, I will read a lot more carefully before I click on 'bid'...which is entering into a legally binding agreement.) 

Thu 230420 QBASIC/QB64 program: Find primes - Versions: 1/2

01:45 AM Created 2 versions of QBASIC/QB64 program to find primes...

Wed 220420 Latest news: Spoke to Millicent/Sharon/Anne. Uploaded VBScript SnagIt screen capture to YouTube. Gambled: William Hill: Poker, reached Club Status 3/Roulette: Lost £24!

Choronavirus still here...

I stayed in...didn't go out. There is Choronavirus 'lockdown' not just here in the UK/but, also, worldwide going on. It's a very easy disease to catch...and, also, invisible...thus, people are advised to stay at home for as long as is possible. I don't think I been going out anywhere, regularly; not for the last 2 months.

 I do go out, however, to do such things as...

- shopping: food/drink
- dump food gone off into the tip (which is half-way down the road)
- collect a parcel from West Norwood Post Office Depot

...otherwise, very rarely, indeed, will I go out.

It's really kind of weird, though; because, I swear, when the year first started Jan/Feb 2020...there was no Choronavirus to be even heard of...and, I used to go out and about for nearly every single day; either I walked/ran/or else, took bike.

Now-a-days, I feel almost like a 'prisoner' confined to home. I can't even go and visit seeing my own family...in case I might give it to them(because, I myself have suffered flu...during March/April).

Yesterday, I taught myself how to make Pasta...

• Open packet into a cooking pan/wash three times using hot water, together with a sieve
• Cover with cold water by 1/4 inch 
• Add 1 tablespoon butter/1 desert spoon salt
• Dice in some tomatoes/carrots/onion
• Put to boil, in around 10 or so minutes long...all ready to serve.

In fact, it tasted just a little bit too 'fresh'...; so, I tossed in some ground 'black pepper'. In all, I had 4 servings.

For me that was a big hurdle to climb...; because, for an awful long LONG time...I had the pasta there...but, just wasn't using it...too scared I might totally mess up! Now, I feel confident I can make it...and, that the end result will prove to be ok.

The things I most like about  pasta is...

1> It's cheap: £1.00 or less/sometimes, 0.50p

2> It's long lasting (can store it 3-6+ months long/this means I don't have to keep on running out to buy more...because it's gone off too soon...such as, bananas)

3> It's really quick, simple, and easy to prepare (10 mins)

4> It can be used in a versatile manner...pasta with food: scrambled eggs/pasta with meat/-etc.

5> It's healthier than eating sweet biscuits/ice cream.

Today, I made some more Pasta...

The only extra ingredients I added compared to before was...

1 x diced Bell red pepper











Yesterday, I phoned both Millicent/Sharon/Anne...to get the 'latest' family updates...

First, Millicent phoned me...to inquire how I'm doing; but, I missed the call; so, I had to phone her back. Apparently, everyone is well on their side of the family. I told her everyone is well on Sharon's side of the family...meaning, her husband, and, kids; (except one of Sharon's aunts died from it...leaving 2 daughters behind; she was in hospital for just 2 weeks before dying. Also, Blusie, who has to have Dialysis at the hospital may have Choronavirus, too.) Millicent, said she is currently working from home...by using a computer to connect with her work remote office computer. So, I left her to get on with it.

I cannot exactly recall if it was yesterday/or, the day before yesterday; but, I did talk to Sharon/and, also, Anne...on that same day. Sharon said everything is ok on her side of the family. Anne said her husband Krish is sick with Chronavirus...but, apparently, it's mild enough for him to stay home.

I informed them that I think I might have had Chronavirus, too; but, mild...so, I was able to recover by simply self-isolating/and, staying inside of the home; however, a slight cough does still remain...when I dialled up 111 NHS...I was told that the cough might take some weeks to go.

Today, I uploaded some Windows 10/VBScript/SnagIt screen captures to both Facebook/and, my YouTube channel.

VBScript/2 lines of code/talk text through computer speakers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JTP_rG8OXE&t=4s

Gambled: William Hill/Poker/reached: ClubStatus 3

I've been doing a lot of gambling at William Hill...playing Poker: and, in around a week I reached ClubStatus Level 3(I started playing online Poker around 14th April 2020/today's date is the: 22nd). The higher is your ClubStatus then the more entitlements you have such as more FREEROLL tournaments/-etc.

Frankly, I spent a lot of money to achieve ClubStatus 3...; basically, instead of buying Pizza...I brought into Poker games: some costing 10p/20p/50p/£1/£3.

A lot of the time, I played Roulette...then, using the money I won on playing Roulette, I transferred it into my Poker a/c.

Today, I went and deposited 4 x £6 = £24.00 into Roulette...lost the lot; feeling very deeply disappointed...depressed, in fact; not so much because of this specific loss...; but, mainly, because I know I'm a hopeless gambling 'addict'...and, therefore, am likely to loose a hell of a lot more.

Still playing Poker for FREE at Zynga Poker

I still play Zynga Poker, as well; using only FREE chips...but, frankly, winning/loosing FREE chips is 'meaningless'. So, ultimately, I prefer to play 'real' money games, instead; where, yes, you have to buy in...minimum: 10p/but, at least, if you win: £0.37p; then, that money is 'real'...and, not just purely imaginary.

Tue 140420 Collect parcel: Michelangelo book/Got 'latest' copy of Metro newspaper/Shopped Sainsbury's/Ordered take away

9 AM  COLLECTED PARCEL FROM WEST NORWOOD POST OFFICE DEPOT: MICHELANGELO BOOK/PUBLISHER: THAMES & HUDSON

This morning I had to go pick up a parcel from West Norwood Post Office Depot; but, due to the Choronavirus scare; the office which normally is open until 12:30/1 PM; currently, is only open between 7 AM-9 AM.

I found it really quite difficult to wake up that early; so I missed a few days of not being able to collect the parcel; however, today, I went and did it.

There was a queue -where people tried to keep a 6 foot distance from one another- of around 4 people long; and, the time was 'late'...meaning, I arrived there at 9 AM; however, the post office people were kind enough to wait to serve the entire queue.

I, in particular, was lucky...because the postman who usually sends mail into my letter box...saw me standing up in the back of the queue...and, immediately, after recognising me...went and got my parcel, right away.

When I arrive back home, and, opened up the parcel...it was a big thick A4 sized Michelangleo book I'd ordered from off eBay...publisher: Thames & Hudson; consisting of more text than pictures...which slightly disappointed me; however, I have sufficient time, I can try and read.

10 AM SHOPPED AT MY LOCAL SAINSBURY'S

Straight after collecting my parcel, as already mentioned above; I decided since I'm already out on the street -(I highly dislike going outside, now-a-days; much preferring to stay in at homes so I don't get Chronavirus)- might as well get a few things done on the outside.

I collected a Metro newspaper from West Norwood train station...which is dated: Tue 14th April 2020. There were very few of these newspapers left...whereas, normally, you see tons left.

I had seen that the grocery shop, located at the corner of Casewick Road, did remain open; but, I needed to have 'cash' to buy anything from there.

I tried to collect some money from out of a Cash Machine; the Post Office cash machine wasn't working; so, I tried the shop Cash Machine, instead, which is just a few yards down...that didn't seem to work, neither.

Eventually, I decided to hell with going shopping everywhere...instead, I'll just buy everything inside of one same place which is West Norwood high street Sainsbury's superstore.

There was a queue outside of Sainsbury's; with everybody standing around 6 feet apart. I think, the queue wasn't too long...consisting on just 3 or 4 people ahead of me.

I patiently waited to be let inside...and, eventually, was given the go ahead by the black guard. I grabbed 2 x wire hand baskets to collect all of my shopping in; this time, I didn't choose to concentrate on buying such things as sweets/chocolate biscuits/-etc. Instead, I mainly concentrated on buying such things as proper food: bread/cheese/(there was no eggs left, I'm afraid)/fruits: bananas/grapes/yellow melon/fruit juice/vegetables: tomatoes/cucumbers; though, I did also buy 2 boxes of sweet marshmallows, and, 1 pack of chocolate trifle/-etc.

I paid the counter clerk girl using my 'contactless' bank a/c. card; also, brought 2 x plastic bags. I loaded up 4 bags, altogether(2 CoOp black bags which I already brought along with me); and, then, placing the bags 2 on either side of my bike's handlebars...I walked off home.

I was very glad to reach home, eventually; and, basically, came in and stocked up the 2 fridges(downstairs kitchen/upstairs living room).

19:27 ORDERED PIZZA: NO 8/HOT EATER

Ordered 1 18 in size Super Pizza: No 8: Hot Eater: Beef, Red onion, Green Pepper/Jalpaneo Pepper.

1 x 8 chicken nuggets & chips/(fries)

1 x Haagen Daaz ice cream.

NOTE: It was slightly embarrassing when 2 card payments did not succeed in going through; so, I had to use a different card, instead. (I really must remember to keep some cash with me, next time; at least, £25.00 or so.)

Mon 140420 William Hill Poker Tournament/Won: £3.10

140420 21:36 REGISTERED FOR WILLIAM HILL POKER FREE ROLL TOURNAMENT/WON £3.10

Of late, I've been using some William Hill Poker software I went and downloaded; I registered to play in a FREE Roll tournament, and, won. My winnings were: £3.10p.