Feeling down.

Syl wrote:I have to say I rarely feel down for no reason....but today, everything I touch I have done wrong.

I have used up some really lovely lace to make a birthday card for someone...and I hate the way it's turned out, so that's being binned.

Lost at scrabble and draughts...OH is the world's most horrible winner, and he gloats, possibly because he doesn't win much, but it's really pissed me off.

It's absolutely freezing cold with a biting wind, too cold to go out for a walk, no point shopping, all the shops are closed.

On top of that my hair is the worst it has looked for years.

What's NOT to feel down about??

Syl wrote:I have to say I rarely feel down for no reason....but today, everything I touch I have done wrong.

I have used up some really lovely lace to make a birthday card for someone...and I hate the way it's turned out, so that's being binned.

Bollox to the cake - no one wants diabetes anyway

Lost at scrabble and draughts...OH is the world's most horrible winner, and he gloats, possibly because he doesn't win much, but it's really pissed me off.

ah, well those that rarely win like to cherish it when they do. Remember also,,,, he's a bloke so just let him enjoy it on the rare occasions it happens

It's absolutely freezing cold with a biting wind, too cold to go out for a walk, no point shopping, all the shops are closed.

Hold tight, syl. Spring is nearly here and the daffodil shoots are already starting to show. It will soon be warm again

On top of that my hair is the worst it has looked for years.

You still have an amazing smile

What's NOT to feel down about??

Original Quill wrote:Awww...Syl, cheer up.  Every loss is a learning experience; you now know what the lace does not go well with.  As with scrabble, you now know a little bit more of how to beat OH.  And, with cold weather and unruly hair, it's now time to work on a Spring bob that anticipates fun days.

If every loss is a learning experience, every win is a trophy.  

Maddog wrote:

If you're a bit squeamish this may give you some issues.  

You won't actually see people die, but they are dying in this wreck.  

I understand amateur drivers, but I don't get why the truckers are still moving that fast?

Tommy Monk wrote:

Syl wrote:I have to say I rarely feel down for no reason....but today, everything I touch I have done wrong.

I have used up some really lovely lace to make a birthday card for someone...and I hate the way it's turned out, so that's being binned.

Lost at scrabble and draughts...OH is the world's most horrible winner, and he gloats, possibly because he doesn't win much, but it's really pissed me off.

It's absolutely freezing cold with a biting wind, too cold to go out for a walk, no point shopping, all the shops are closed.

On top of that my hair is the worst it has looked for years.

What's NOT to feel down about??

Don't bin the card... Put it to one side and have another look at it tomorrow...


Board games... You can't win them all... But you can gloat that you win most of them overall... Part of being a good winner is also being a good loser and letting the opponent have a little bit of glory on the times that they do win... And the occasional loss makes the next win taste even sweeter...


Hair... If it's not behaving then just tie it back or up or something into a different style/look for a while... Or put on a hat or something... Again, tomorrow it will look different after you've slept on it... Or you could always go for the full Britney Spears meltdown look and shave it all off!!!

gelico wrote:

Syl wrote:I have to say I rarely feel down for no reason....but today, everything I touch I have done wrong.

I have used up some really lovely lace to make a birthday card for someone...and I hate the way it's turned out, so that's being binned.

Bollox to the cake - no one wants diabetes anyway

Lost at scrabble and draughts...OH is the world's most horrible winner, and he gloats, possibly because he doesn't win much, but it's really pissed me off.

ah, well those that rarely win like to cherish it when they do.  Remember also,,,, he's a bloke so just let him enjoy it on the rare occasions it happens

It's absolutely freezing cold with a biting wind, too cold to go out for a walk, no point shopping, all the shops are closed.

Hold tight, syl.  Spring is nearly here and the daffodil shoots are already starting to show.  It will soon be warm again

On top of that my hair is the worst it has looked for years.

You still have an amazing smile

What's NOT to feel down about??

sending hugs, syl

Tommy Monk wrote:

Syl wrote:I have to say I rarely feel down for no reason....but today, everything I touch I have done wrong.

I have used up some really lovely lace to make a birthday card for someone...and I hate the way it's turned out, so that's being binned.

Lost at scrabble and draughts...OH is the world's most horrible winner, and he gloats, possibly because he doesn't win much, but it's really pissed me off.

It's absolutely freezing cold with a biting wind, too cold to go out for a walk, no point shopping, all the shops are closed.

On top of that my hair is the worst it has looked for years.

What's NOT to feel down about??

Hair... If it's not behaving then just tie it back or up or something into a different style/look for a while... Or put on a hat or something... Again, tomorrow it will look different after you've slept on it... Or you could always go for the full Britney Spears meltdown look and shave it all off!!!

Syl wrote:

Maddog wrote:

If you're a bit squeamish this may give you some issues.  

You won't actually see people die, but they are dying in this wreck.  

I understand amateur drivers, but I don't get why the truckers are still moving that fast?

That certainly puts my pathetic moaning into perspective.
How many people must have died or been seriously injured in that pile up.
And like you said, why were the trucks going so fast, couldn't they see what was happening ahead of them?

Maddog wrote:

Syl wrote:

That certainly puts my pathetic moaning into perspective.
How many people must have died or been seriously injured in that pile up.
And like you said, why were the trucks going so fast, couldn't they see what was happening ahead of them?

6 died at this point. Many in the crash were medical personal going to work.  

We treat bridges for ice over here.  It appears someone skipped that one. So people had been driving on clear roads, came over a rise and hit a sheet of ice.

 

Vintage wrote:If its any consolation my hair is awful. Its not short or long but a straggly somewhere in between' I' grown it out last year into a bob for a change, that didn't last as when working it blew everywhere, so it got the chop again, shorter than I anticipated but it was ok, then just as I was going for a trim another lockdown happened. Now its in between it tends to stick out at odd angles in different places every morning. Can't wear a hat I look like Freddie Parrot Face Davies!

Syl wrote:

Vintage wrote:If its any consolation my hair is awful. Its not short or long but a straggly somewhere in between' I' grown it out last year into a bob for a change, that didn't last as when working it blew everywhere, so it got the chop again, shorter than I anticipated but it was ok, then just as I was going for a trim another lockdown happened. Now its in between it tends to stick out at odd angles in different places every morning. Can't wear a hat I look like Freddie Parrot Face Davies!

I seriously was looking at wigs online last night. I like this one.
My own hair is long, but I love this short choppy look.

Syl wrote:

Maddog wrote:

6 died at this point. Many in the crash were medical personal going to work.  

We treat bridges for ice over here.  It appears someone skipped that one. So people had been driving on clear roads, came over a rise and hit a sheet of ice.

 

I would hate to be the person who omitted to de-ice that bridge.

If only 6 are dead, tragic though that is, it seems a miracle that the number isn't 10 times that amount.

ampgoo wrote:Were roads treated for ice before Fort Worth I-35W crash? Lawmakers want answers.

Following Thursday's fatal crash on Interstate 35W, a Fort Worth legislature is calling for more information on whether the roads were properly de-iced from Fort Worth's freezing weather.

Six people were killed and dozens more injured in the crash near downtown Fort Worth, resulting in a pile of about 100 vehicles. The roads in the southbound lanes of the motorway were icy overnight after a frost.

Ramon Romero State MP, a Democrat from Fort Worth, whose district includes the corridor where the wreck occurred, said first responders had told him there was no evidence of techniques such as grinding to reduce ice on the road seems to exist.

The reports prompted Romero to check with the Texas Department of Transportation about the procedures in place to ensure the roads were de-iced.

Generally, the transportation department uses a combination of materials to de-ice roads. The agency's work teams can apply a salty, liquid brine to roads and bridges, or apply salt pellets or sand.

The brine can be used preventively or applied to ice that has already formed. The salt and sand can also be used as a preventive measure, but are more likely to be used on roads that are already at least partially covered with snow or ice to give motorists more traction for their tires.

The crash occurred on TEXPress lanes, which require a toll for drivers and are monitored by North Tarrant Express Mobility Partners.

"We just have to find out what they did because the evidence shows that the people who were on that street were unable to stop," said Romero.

A spokesman for North Tarrant Express Mobility Partners said the company was taking steps to keep ice off the streets.

"The NTE & NTE35W maintenance teams started pre-treating our corridors on Tuesday and have been on site ever since," said spokesman Robert Hinkle. "Our crews are now supporting rescue workers in managing the accident site on 35 W and will continue to treat the motorways over the weekend until the next week."

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Hinkle added, “We will continue to treat the freeways over the weekend until next week as long as the storm is active. Our crews handle the entire corridor, managed lanes, multi-purpose lanes, front roads and ramps, and work on the same procedure as the Texas Department of Transportation. In addition, our message boards in the corridors have alerted drivers to the adverse weather conditions and urged them to drive with caution. "

But Romero wrote on Twitter that the Fort Worth Fire Department "had to bring their own salt and sand to gain access to the scene". The tweet was one of several Thursdays that raised road safety issues.

"Who was responsible for safety on this street?" Said Romero and requested an investigation into the crash. “Who was responsible for deicing this part of our motorway? Who dropped the ball and why? Does TxDOT monitor the security measures on toll roads or do we only trust these private companies to take care of them? "

Mike Drivdahl, a fire department spokesman, said he did not know if the streets had been treated to prevent ice. Firefighters brought supplies to move safely around the scene, he said.

In the tweets, Romero also expressed concern about the "bottleneck design of the toll road and the lack of sensible security measures like a shoulder".

State Senator Beverly Powell, D-Fort Worth, said on Twitter that she too had been made aware of reports that "the managed lanes in which the fatal accident occurred that (Thursday) morning may not have been properly handled by the operator ".

"Hours after today's fatal accident, our office received numerous reports from constituents and online addresses that the operator responsible for managing the lane in which the piling occurred may not have properly handled the pavement "Powell said in a statement. “We are closely monitoring all reports from Senate 10th members and will continue to be in contact with transportation officials to ensure correct treatment procedures have been followed. All North Texans need to exercise caution in the days to come as weather conditions are unlikely to change and may deteriorate as we approach next week. "

Romero said TxDOT wants the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency that conducts accident investigations, to investigate the wreck. A TxDOT speaker did not immediately return a request for a comment. An NTSB spokesman said he had no information about an investigation, but updates were being shared on social media.

Romero said he also expected the wreck to be a point of discussion in committee hearings in the House and Senate. Romero wants the state to investigate why it is entering into public-private partnerships, such as the one between the state and TEXPress Railways in Fort Worth.

Romero asked if private companies can be trusted to treat roads against ice.

"This bad weather was foreseeable and lives were lost because a private company broke the end of business," Romero said on Twitter.

Staff writer Gordon Dixon contributed to this report.

Posted on 2021.02.12

https://www.ampgoo.com/were-roads-treated-for-ice-before-fort-worth-i-35w-crash-lawmakers-want-answers

Original Quill wrote:

ampgoo wrote:Were roads treated for ice before Fort Worth I-35W crash? Lawmakers want answers.

Following Thursday's fatal crash on Interstate 35W, a Fort Worth legislature is calling for more information on whether the roads were properly de-iced from Fort Worth's freezing weather.

Six people were killed and dozens more injured in the crash near downtown Fort Worth, resulting in a pile of about 100 vehicles. The roads in the southbound lanes of the motorway were icy overnight after a frost.

Ramon Romero State MP, a Democrat from Fort Worth, whose district includes the corridor where the wreck occurred, said first responders had told him there was no evidence of techniques such as grinding to reduce ice on the road seems to exist.

The reports prompted Romero to check with the Texas Department of Transportation about the procedures in place to ensure the roads were de-iced.

Generally, the transportation department uses a combination of materials to de-ice roads. The agency's work teams can apply a salty, liquid brine to roads and bridges, or apply salt pellets or sand.

The brine can be used preventively or applied to ice that has already formed. The salt and sand can also be used as a preventive measure, but are more likely to be used on roads that are already at least partially covered with snow or ice to give motorists more traction for their tires.

The crash occurred on TEXPress lanes, which require a toll for drivers and are monitored by North Tarrant Express Mobility Partners.

"We just have to find out what they did because the evidence shows that the people who were on that street were unable to stop," said Romero.

A spokesman for North Tarrant Express Mobility Partners said the company was taking steps to keep ice off the streets.

"The NTE & NTE35W maintenance teams started pre-treating our corridors on Tuesday and have been on site ever since," said spokesman Robert Hinkle. "Our crews are now supporting rescue workers in managing the accident site on 35 W and will continue to treat the motorways over the weekend until the next week."

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Hinkle added, “We will continue to treat the freeways over the weekend until next week as long as the storm is active. Our crews handle the entire corridor, managed lanes, multi-purpose lanes, front roads and ramps, and work on the same procedure as the Texas Department of Transportation. In addition, our message boards in the corridors have alerted drivers to the adverse weather conditions and urged them to drive with caution. "

But Romero wrote on Twitter that the Fort Worth Fire Department "had to bring their own salt and sand to gain access to the scene". The tweet was one of several Thursdays that raised road safety issues.

"Who was responsible for safety on this street?" Said Romero and requested an investigation into the crash. “Who was responsible for deicing this part of our motorway? Who dropped the ball and why? Does TxDOT monitor the security measures on toll roads or do we only trust these private companies to take care of them? "

Mike Drivdahl, a fire department spokesman, said he did not know if the streets had been treated to prevent ice. Firefighters brought supplies to move safely around the scene, he said.

In the tweets, Romero also expressed concern about the "bottleneck design of the toll road and the lack of sensible security measures like a shoulder".

State Senator Beverly Powell, D-Fort Worth, said on Twitter that she too had been made aware of reports that "the managed lanes in which the fatal accident occurred that (Thursday) morning may not have been properly handled by the operator ".

"Hours after today's fatal accident, our office received numerous reports from constituents and online addresses that the operator responsible for managing the lane in which the piling occurred may not have properly handled the pavement "Powell said in a statement. “We are closely monitoring all reports from Senate 10th members and will continue to be in contact with transportation officials to ensure correct treatment procedures have been followed. All North Texans need to exercise caution in the days to come as weather conditions are unlikely to change and may deteriorate as we approach next week. "

Romero said TxDOT wants the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency that conducts accident investigations, to investigate the wreck. A TxDOT speaker did not immediately return a request for a comment. An NTSB spokesman said he had no information about an investigation, but updates were being shared on social media.

Romero said he also expected the wreck to be a point of discussion in committee hearings in the House and Senate. Romero wants the state to investigate why it is entering into public-private partnerships, such as the one between the state and TEXPress Railways in Fort Worth.

Romero asked if private companies can be trusted to treat roads against ice.

"This bad weather was foreseeable and lives were lost because a private company broke the end of business," Romero said on Twitter.

Staff writer Gordon Dixon contributed to this report.

Posted on 2021.02.12

https://www.ampgoo.com/were-roads-treated-for-ice-before-fort-worth-i-35w-crash-lawmakers-want-answers

Those of you who are observant will note that the accident occurred only in the middle of the expressway, or the TEXpress Lanes of the I-35W corridor.

TEXpress Lanes are unique toll lanes that are built within an existing highway.  When a former government project starts to privatize, you will observe a certain depreciation in service and resources starts to happen.  The LBJ and NTE TEXpress Lanes were built with comprehensive development agreements, meaning they are managed by private companies and owned by TxDOT.

When private enterprise becomes involved, profit (capitalization) becomes another, fourth mouth to feed, whereas government only considers the need.  The added expense detracts from the resources available and services provided.  It happened in this case because the roadbuilding went from federally-funded IHS, to a for-profit system.  Eliminated was the de-iceing of the roadways.

Maddog wrote:Could be a design flaw. These roads are high speed with no shoulders. This particular overpass rises fairly quickly so that you can't see over the apex of the hill.

Original Quill wrote:

Maddog wrote:Could be a design flaw. These roads are high speed with no shoulders. This particular overpass rises fairly quickly so that you can't see over the apex of the hill.

I think when you cut the meat off the bone, we are saying the same thing.  A "design flaw" is just another form of cost-cutting, whether in operations or with equipment/resources.  It’s cost-cutting anytime you reduce spending to preserve high profits.

It's the same with regulatory measures.  Regulations is just another term for public protections.   Capitalists want to eliminate regulations in order to reduce costs, and if that means reductions in public protections, so be it.

"Design flaws" may be another term for building without public protections...in this case, building without expensive de-iceing equipment.

Ben Reilly wrote:The problem with those fucking toll roads is that so few people want to pay to drive on them that those who do end up on them drive like maniacs, because the police rarely bother to monitor them.

Original Quill wrote:

Syl wrote:



I seriously was looking at wigs online last night. I like this one.
My own hair is long, but I love this short choppy look.

It would look great on you, Syl.  You look very much like that model, and on her it's spectacular.  

Cass wrote:Hugs Syl xxx

eddie wrote:Hey Syl, I’ve had low energy for a while now, it’s in the air somehow, everyone seems utterly tired of the lockdowns and restrictions. The world just doesn’t feel the same at the moment, it’s hard to stay positive.  

I am kinda glad that Mr Syl finally won at scrabble though....

Syl wrote:I have to say I rarely feel down for no reason....but today, everything I touch I have done wrong.

I have used up some really lovely lace to make a birthday card for someone...and I hate the way it's turned out, so that's being binned.

Lost at scrabble and draughts...OH is the world's most horrible winner, and he gloats, possibly because he doesn't win much, but it's really pissed me off.

It's absolutely freezing cold with a biting wind, too cold to go out for a walk, no point shopping, all the shops are closed.

On top of that my hair is the worst it has looked for years.

What's NOT to feel down about??

Syl wrote:

eddie wrote:Hey Syl, I’ve had low energy for a while now, it’s in the air somehow, everyone seems utterly tired of the lockdowns and restrictions. The world just doesn’t feel the same at the moment, it’s hard to stay positive.  

I am kinda glad that Mr Syl finally won at scrabble though....

OK...let me clarify.

I do win a lot on account of I am good at scrabble.
I am a modest winner and a graceful loser, BUT, I hate it when the winner gloats, it just annoys me.
For eg, he was winning by over 100 points, I had seven vowels which went nowhere so had to change letters (something I am loath to do because obviously I miss my go)
He used the triple word space I had opened up and said...."Watch this, you will appreciate it". and he was smirking.
..
AND it wasn't so much what he said, it was the way he said it.

I am quite over it now though.

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:

OK...let me clarify.

I do win a lot on account of I am good at scrabble.
I am a modest winner and a graceful loser, BUT, I hate it when the winner gloats, it just annoys me.
For eg, he was winning by over 100 points, I had seven vowels which went nowhere so had to change letters (something I am loath to do because obviously I miss my go)
He used the triple word space I had opened up and said...."Watch this, you will appreciate it". and he was smirking.
..
AND it wasn't so much what he said, it was the way he said it.

I am quite over it now though.

Poor Mr Syl

Didgee wrote:

Syl wrote:I have to say I rarely feel down for no reason....but today, everything I touch I have done wrong.

I have used up some really lovely lace to make a birthday card for someone...and I hate the way it's turned out, so that's being binned.

Lost at scrabble and draughts...OH is the world's most horrible winner, and he gloats, possibly because he doesn't win much, but it's really pissed me off.

It's absolutely freezing cold with a biting wind, too cold to go out for a walk, no point shopping, all the shops are closed.

On top of that my hair is the worst it has looked for years.

What's NOT to feel down about??

Sorry to here you are blue Syl

Here is something to cheer you up 

Enjoy

Tommy Monk wrote:

Syl wrote:I have to say I rarely feel down for no reason....but today, everything I touch I have done wrong.

I have used up some really lovely lace to make a birthday card for someone...and I hate the way it's turned out, so that's being binned.

Lost at scrabble and draughts...OH is the world's most horrible winner, and he gloats, possibly because he doesn't win much, but it's really pissed me off.

It's absolutely freezing cold with a biting wind, too cold to go out for a walk, no point shopping, all the shops are closed.

On top of that my hair is the worst it has looked for years.

What's NOT to feel down about??

Don't bin the card... Put it to one side and have another look at it tomorrow...


Board games... You can't win them all... But you can gloat that you win most of them overall... Part of being a good winner is also being a good loser and letting the opponent have a little bit of glory on the times that they do win... And the occasional loss makes the next win taste even sweeter...


Hair... If it's not behaving then just tie it back or up or something into a different style/look for a while... Or put on a hat or something... Again, tomorrow it will look different after you've slept on it... Or you could always go for the full Britney Spears meltdown look and shave it all off!!!

eddie wrote:That’s really good Syl! Why do you doubt yourself?