Absolutely Anything Else

fluffy2560 wrote:

That didn't take long - just days after the EU "gave permission" via the recovery/COVID budget fudge:

Hungarian parliament adopts package of anti-LGBT laws

Looks like hypocrisy is spreading as fast as COVID19

Honestly so depressing to see Hungary slide back to its oligarchical, corrupt, and morally indefensible ways. I really hoped the Dutch and others would force a bit of sanity on the situation, but no. Merkel's bargain with Poland and Hungary shows how ineffectual the EU is, and this kick to the balls to thousands of LGBT Hungarians shows there is no lower limit to how far O1G will go to keep his power -- scapegoating innocents has a good foundation of effectiveness in history.

Sorry to be pessimistic but my priority now is in leaving Hungary, the country where I no longer feel welcome and I see no reason for optimism anymore.

I also have the need to leave Hungary, having said that, on a relative basis I am still quite happy here, politics are and will always remain tricky. I do love the Netherlands (in general), however looking at reports like Opgelicht and Wegmisbruikers I do understand for criminals to perform their activities there. Outrageous how you can get away with things.
Of course Hungary has to complain about a braindrain, but the positive effect of criminal drain is not mentioned. Yes there is corruption, perhaps more than in other countries. Bottom line, I feel quite safe. The reason I want to leave is that me and my wife are getting older and a house with such a big "garden" does not suit us. Returning to the Netherlands is not on the agenda, but a nice appartment in Batumi or Alanya is. I have had quite some good times in Hungary and of course not all is good, but comparing to many other countries it is. (The only thing I will probably regret is leaving the EU (but just to expensive)

Vicces1 wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

That didn't take long - just days after the EU "gave permission" via the recovery/COVID budget fudge:

Hungarian parliament adopts package of anti-LGBT laws

Looks like hypocrisy is spreading as fast as COVID19

Honestly so depressing to see Hungary slide back to its oligarchical, corrupt, and morally indefensible ways. I really hoped the Dutch and others would force a bit of sanity on the situation, but no. Merkel's bargain with Poland and Hungary shows how ineffectual the EU is, and this kick to the balls to thousands of LGBT Hungarians shows there is no lower limit to how far O1G will go to keep his power -- scapegoating innocents has a good foundation of effectiveness in history.

Sorry to be pessimistic but my priority now is in leaving Hungary, the country where I no longer feel welcome and I see no reason for optimism anymore.

It is very depressing.  Usually these kinds of regimes run out of steam and get replaced but it'll take years to reverse the damage that has been done to people's thinking and to dismantle the legal framework that supports it.   I cannot see anything changing short term.  People will just leave the country if they can.   

I'm afraid the EU is all about compromise so they will never take any real action against O1G.  Mrs Fluffy said he was on about Soros again.  What a plonker!  People are just sick and tired of hearing the same old BS.   But many just fall for it time after time.

Mrs Fluffy has said we should see if there's change in the next election before planning to leave. I am not optimistic.  My eldest HU kid always talks about leaving. The younger HU one doesn't seem to notice any of this as too young.  Mrs Fluffy has never talked about leaving in such strong terms before so this is really significant.  But where to go?  Still got kids in school, good house and people we know.   Brexit is not helping for choice.

cdw057 wrote:

I also have the need to leave Hungary, having said that, on a relative basis I am still quite happy here, politics are and will always remain tricky. I do love the Netherlands (in general), however looking at reports like Opgelicht and Wegmisbruikers I do understand for criminals to perform their activities there. Outrageous how you can get away with things.
Of course Hungary has to complain about a braindrain, but the positive effect of criminal drain is not mentioned. Yes there is corruption, perhaps more than in other countries. Bottom line, I feel quite safe. The reason I want to leave is that me and my wife are getting older and a house with such a big "garden" does not suit us. Returning to the Netherlands is not on the agenda, but a nice appartment in Batumi or Alanya is. I have had quite some good times in Hungary and of course not all is good, but comparing to many other countries it is. (The only thing I will probably regret is leaving the EU (but just too expensive)

Criminals can always get away with stuff because they are outside the law.  What they have to balance up is the risk of getting caught.  I was always wondering how effective a law was on say, owning machine guns, when the criminals don't  need to worry about that much.   Being a criminal is not about obeying the law but being outside of it.   

Those kinds of reality TV show are almost like brainwashing.  Obviously there have to be rules but on the other hand, people don't need to be truly punished if they make a mistake and lead normal lives otherwise.  Bit like the coronavirus masks - forgetting to put it on while walking the dog doesn't really deserve a massive fine.  I keep forgetting myself.   If the cops came past, I'd probably start jogging as you don't need a mask if exercising. 

EU choices are a bit difficult for new locations to move to. Cyprus might be worth a look.  Maybe Spain or Portugal for good weather.  Maybe even Morocco or Tunisia?  Easy to get a ferry back across the Med no problem.

We designed our house to be usable in older age.  We might live downstairs when the kids have gone. We originally thought it would be visiting elderly relatives, so we have few steps, a bedroom and a bathroom downstairs.   We need to fix the landscaping to make it easy to maintain and be mobile around.  Maybe you could adapt your house to make it easier to live in?  Or sell of parts of the land?

The question of where to go is difficult, and few relish the moving experience. If the quarantine ends, there are plenty of steps to finding a new place, work considerations as well. Travel to a potential new home city, scout for amenities, parts of the city viable for a future home, the search for affordable real estate (rented or bought), how to move everything...Sell or rent out the Hungarian property.... and with kids or other dependents, the effort is doubled or more. But it must be done. With the Hungarian Forint projected to decrease in value more and more, what was an easy decision now turns into a fight for the increase in any property value offset with the falling currency value...
I left the US thinking about EU standards being brought to Hungary, but I only see a backsliding. I literally feel persecuted in my own home, so to speak. I would not feel comfortable going to the police with any harrassment issues, I do not feel they would take it seriously. I work for an international company with a diversity plan, but I hear anti-gay rhetorical every week, with colleagues letting slip a comment here or there.

I have chosen to look at Portugal, probably Lisbon first, as it has many good expat reviews and affordability is high. We'll see where the next chapter of my life will be written.

Vicces1 wrote:

The question of where to go is difficult, and few relish the moving experience. ...With the Hungarian Forint projected to decrease in value more and more, what was an easy decision now turns into a fight for the increase in any property value offset with the falling currency value...
I left the US thinking about EU standards being brought to Hungary, but I only see a backsliding. I literally feel persecuted in my own home, so to speak. I would not feel comfortable going to the police with any harrassment issues, I do not feel they would take it seriously. I work for an international company with a diversity plan, but I hear anti-gay rhetorical every week, with colleagues letting slip a comment here or there.

I have chosen to look at Portugal, probably Lisbon first, as it has many good expat reviews and affordability is high. We'll see where the next chapter of my life will be written.

I hear you.   I also wonder about say Portugal and Spain.  I have lived in The Netherlands a few times for periods of years and I always enjoyed it there.  But the weather is not very good and some of the food a bit questionable (Indonesian rijstafel is excellent).  But they are super inclusive and tolerant (very live and let live) and it's really easy to get around as the distances are small - almost like one big town or suburb (so called randstad) .  But there's no open space or empty country there.  It's important.

I know what you mean about the creeping anti-whatever coming in. It starts with snide comments. I am sure that also started things in the 1930s. 

We had that before when kids in school would say my kids were not true Hungarians.  Who are true Hungarians anyway?  That was in the time of Jobbik, now reformed and moderated.  The government of the day is effectively giving permission for people to be racist, anti-LGBT, anti-semetic, xenophobic and all manner of everything negative.   It's like Gilead.  I wonder sometimes if O1G is thinking it's a documentary of a model society and not a work of "fiction".  Living the dream there eh Viktor?

While I'm not an American, the Biden win has given me some hope. It's an upside that the US is showing significant signs of right wing pushback which might isolate these loonies and force them out - appointing Deb Haaland as the first Native American as Interior Secretary and Pete Buttigeig as Transport Secretary.   I hope it gives Trump a heart attack.

If only we could see this elsewhere and quickly.  Maybe this will extend to foreign policy pressure to bring Hungary, Turkey and Belarus, Poland etc back on a progressive, inclusive and secular path.

I was heartened to hear the ECJ had found Hungary guilty of violating EU refugee obligations.

Oh great, a month full lockdown. I am going insane lol

SimCityAT wrote:

Oh great, a month full lockdown. I am going insane lol

It's just rubbish isn't it? 

I am getting fed up with it.  I'm used to travelling extensively and this has now become stiflingly weird.  It was OK for a bit but not now. I heard in the UK people are actively beginning to resist it and just doing stuff and damn the consequences.   

That vaccine cannot come soon enough but they have to do millions before it gets to herd immunity.  That'll take until the end of 2021.  And here, maybe even to 2022.

BTW, we've been banned from having New Years fireworks.   That's been a tradition forever. But all stopped.    Xmas will be crap too.

Really not good for people's minds.

Thank God for the internet.  I'm just finishing up Season 2 of The Mandalorian.  Coming up is Season 5 of The Expanse and then there's the remake of The Stand.  Latter might be a bit iffy.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Thank God for the internet.  I'm just finishing up Season 2 of The Mandalorian.  Coming up is Season 5 of The Expanse and then there's the remake of The Stand.  Latter might be a bit iffy.

I am in season 3 of the expanse (episode 1). I know it got cancelled and picked up again. Does it have a conclusion? Or is it just one more thing after another? I like story arcs with a completion, not a sci-fi soap opera. I must say that Amos is one of my favorite characters.
Have you watched The Boys? I think that's a can't miss series.
I've got a list of old classics to watch like Yes Minister... Honestly as relevant today as then, just brilliant comedy writing. Are You Being Served, One Foot in the Grave, Blackadder...
I don't mind the lockdown so much on a day to day basis, but the lack of travel is making that moving decision of mine delayed...

Vicces1 wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Thank God for the internet.  I'm just finishing up Season 2 of The Mandalorian.  Coming up is Season 5 of The Expanse and then there's the remake of The Stand.  Latter might be a bit iffy.

I am in season 3 of the expanse (episode 1). I know it got cancelled and picked up again. Does it have a conclusion? Or is it just one more thing after another? I like story arcs with a completion, not a sci-fi soap opera. I must say that Amos is one of my favorite characters.
Have you watched The Boys? I think that's a can't miss series.
I've got a list of old classics to watch like Yes Minister... Honestly as relevant today as then, just brilliant comedy writing. Are You Being Served, One Foot in the Grave, Blackadder...
I don't mind the lockdown so much on a day to day basis, but the lack of travel is making that moving decision of mine delayed...

Oh dear, I'm going to be on a roll here...

The Expanse was indeed cancelled but there was a major campaign to bring it back and luckily it got picked up again by Amazon Video after SciFi dumped it.  It will run to 6 seasons.  The latest is Season 5 so you need Season 4 next if on Season 3.  It's a very rich series with a very expansive (oops, pun there) universe of characters and arcs.   It's almost like a massive historical drama akin to Game of Thrones.   I can see why you like Amos (Wes Chatham) but interestingly the one who is most engaged with the fanbase is Alex Kamal(Cas Anvar).  Unfortunately he's in hot water over harassment allegations and won't make it to Season 6.  There are a couple of standouts in the series (Cara Gee/Camina Drummer and her weird accent). The Expanse could have run as far as The Walking Dead which will reach Season 11 soon enough.

The Boys  was one of the best series I've seen in a long time. I hope it comes back.  I really liked the way they show the private lives and intrigue of the corporatised "superheros" and the guerrilla anti-heroes.    I suppose it's a satire of Hollywood with superhero characters. 

The only thing "off" is the accent of the guy who is supposed to be British (Karl Urban is a New Zealander). It's really messed up.  We don't talk like that at all. It's close but like hammed up.  In a way, it's kind of funny but why should anyone really complain, it's a fantasy TV show.  But he could have just played in a NZ accent - no-one is surprised these days by it. I can understand how the character is supposed to be an edgy British guy with shady ex-military past and the accent could go with it.  The classic dodgy British accent failure quoted by all is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins.

Some very classic series you mentioned there. Blackadder is my absolute favourite. It's possible to just listen to the soundtrack in the car and it still works for entertainment.  Blackadder has entertained me on multiple long car journeys across Europe.  My fave has to be the "Bob" episode.  The way Blackadder says "Bob" is gold.  And go on the game and work from home. Just gold.

If you feel enthusiastic, I can recommend "The Umbrella Academy".  Season 1 was only a bit above average but Season 2 was excellent.  Netflix has I think renewed for a 3rd season.  Hope they keep it up. Only thing is we have to wait for it!

One of the problems with these "new" studios is that they don't really let them run more than 3 seasons when under their care.  Designated Survivor was a bit soap opera like until Netflix got it and then it was like someone had turbocharged it, given it sports wheels and some go faster paint job and it all got edgy and Mad Max.  Then of course, Netflix cancelled it -  never more than 3 seasons.

The Stand is looking a bit average.  I saw episode 1 last night and I wasn't that impressed. I don't like the characters very much. Look like a**holes.  That might be the point.  Way back when, I used to be reasonably keen on Stephen King movie stuff - particularly the older stuff like Christine, Shining or even Carrie.  But I faded out from him some years ago and stopped caring.  I thought it just became all the same and nothing new or unique seemed to be coming out of him. 

Lack of travel is driving me bonkers and culturally becoming a bit isolating.

SimCityAT wrote:

[img align=C]https://scontent.fvie2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/132037820_1557475691119798_8147427014578216368_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=ca434c&_nc_ohc=tn9dTD6mFXYAX-m8mac&_nc_ht=scontent.fvie2-1.fna&oh=a52efe22f0f2c79e5820155568174db5&oe=60022A47[/url]

I knew that sort of thing was coming. 

I think Boris and Co do not want a deal.   

Have you heard about the EU truck licensing?  There's something like only 1900 permits for non-EU trucks to enter the EU.    I don't have  a link yet but I am sure I can find one eventually.

It's going to be SNAFU x 100.

fluffy2560 wrote:

I knew that sort of thing was coming. 

I think Boris and Co do not want a deal.   

Have you heard about the EU truck licensing?  There's something like only 1900 permits for non-EU trucks to enter the EU.    I don't have  a link yet but I am sure I can find one eventually.

It's going to be SNAFU x 100.

Yeah I had seen something about that. I am pretty sure they never wanted a deal. They now have til midnight tomorrow to come up with something. What a mess.

SimCityAT wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

I knew that sort of thing was coming. 

I think Boris and Co do not want a deal.   

Have you heard about the EU truck licensing?  There's something like only 1900 permits for non-EU trucks to enter the EU.    I don't have  a link yet but I am sure I can find one eventually.

It's going to be SNAFU x 100.

Yeah I had seen something about that. I am pretty sure they never wanted a deal. They now have til midnight tomorrow to come up with something. What a mess.

It's a more than a muddle even, it's not just a mess, it's a monumental mess and it all stinks.  I expect they believe they can sort it out in 2021 and later. Politicians aren't going to be losers in the short term.

EU has a contingency plan but it's a bit stupid in places. It assumes EU nations can fish in UK waters for 1 year.  Who would accept that?

Reading the BBC, there are articles about the shellfish not being able to be shipped efficiently due to inspections at the EU borders.  Of course this is ludicrous.  One minute it's OK and the next minute it's not.  One of the reasons why people do not like the EU way of working and its inflexibility. But I think the EU is now not paying much attention to Brexit. There's the virus to fight, budgets to pass and people want to move on from it.  UK might as well be somewhere like Indonesia or Malaysia for all they care.  Just another one.

Here's a link to the permits:

ECMT Permits

Not looking good there.  But maybe in 2 years, things will be different. Idly speculating, I expect the UK to go into a recession for a while, then start to come out.  Domestically I expect taxes and VAT to be lowered to stimulate the economy and there to be a flood of imports there.  If things go well, the UK could be looking very dynamic and adaptable but false facade because the debt on C19 has to be repaid.  This kind of scenario of a very versatile economy is what Boris is hoping for. It'll be like his Churchill moment and legacy.  Collateral damage he doesn't care about.

One thing which might be interesting is that Hong Kong BNO passport holders will possibly start to migrate to the UK to make up for shortfalls in EU folk.  With 20 years, all BNO will be gone and full British. It was always an outlier.  Should have dumped BNO years ago.  They did it for everyone else like Falklands.

A lot of the problems is that Brish fisherman sold their fishing ground rites to French and Spanish. This is all where it boils down to.

SimCityAT wrote:

A lot of the problems is that British fisherman sold their fishing ground rights to French and Spanish. This is all where it boils down to.

Yes, they did do that.  And Spanish boats are rumoured to be tied up in the UK and operating out of British ports. 

Even more of a muddle over a fishy puddle.

Presumably all those agreements are now cancelled as there's no legal basis for it post-December 2020. And the Spanish boats may not be able to stay.  Ay caramba.

It might actually bring about the demise of all UK fishing.  So UK will be protecting UK waters over a threat from Europe when no-one is fishing there.   Winner out of this are the fish as they can proliferate.

I'm thinking WTF almost continuously now.  A classic "be careful what you wish for" moment. Stinks more than old fish on a hot day.

fluffy2560 wrote:

The Expanse was indeed cancelled but there was a major campaign to bring it back and luckily it got picked up again by Amazon Video after SciFi dumped it.  It will run to 6 seasons.  The latest is Season 5 so you need Season 4 next if on Season 3.  It's a very rich series with a very expansive (oops, pun there) universe of characters and arcs.   It's almost like a massive historical drama akin to Game of Thrones.   I can see why you like Amos (Wes Chatham) but interestingly the one who is most engaged with the fanbase is Alex Kamal(Cas Anvar).  Unfortunately he's in hot water over harassment allegations and won't make it to Season 6.  There are a couple of standouts in the series (Cara Gee/Camina Drummer and her weird accent). The Expanse could have run as far as The Walking Dead which will reach Season 11 soon enough.

Let's hope the end of this series is much better than GoT -- although that doesn't set the bar very high. Aside from Amos, Shohreh Aghdashloo is another fav character (Avasarala). I find it interesting that most of the main characters I find annoying. Didn't know that about Kamal, but he was not a favorite either. PS - I am up to episode 4 now...very interesting!

fluffy2560 wrote:

The Boys  was one of the best series I've seen in a long time. I hope it comes back.  I really liked the way they show the private lives and intrigue of the corporatised "superheros" and the guerrilla anti-heroes.  I suppose it's a satire of Hollywood with superhero characters.

Definitely a new take on superheroes. And really, what would stop them from being really as evil as their powers spiral upward. What are mere humans going to do? Best to monetize... I am looking forward to the next year, although it will be in 2022...

fluffy2560 wrote:

Some very classic series you mentioned there. Blackadder is my absolute favourite. It's possible to just listen to the soundtrack in the car and it still works for entertainment.  Blackadder has entertained me on multiple long car journeys across Europe.  My fave has to be the "Bob" episode.  The way Blackadder says "Bob" is gold.  And go on the game and work from home. Just gold.

Looking forward to it!

fluffy2560 wrote:

If you feel enthusiastic, I can recommend "The Umbrella Academy".  Season 1 was only a bit above average but Season 2 was excellent.  Netflix has I think renewed for a 3rd season.  Hope they keep it up. Only thing is we have to wait for it!

I watched the 1st season and it didn't pull me into the 2nd season. I can't imagine picking it up again. I just don't like the characters that much.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Lack of travel is driving me bonkers and culturally becoming a bit isolating.

Amen!

fluffy2560 wrote:

It might actually bring about the demise of all UK fishing.  So UK will be protecting UK waters over a threat from Europe when no-one is fishing there.   Winner out of this are the fish as they can proliferate.

I'm thinking WTF almost continuously now.  A classic "be careful what you wish for" moment. Stinks more than old fish on a hot day.

You heard a French firm won the rights to monitor UK fishing?
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/ … ear/13/12/

Vicces1 wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

It might actually bring about the demise of all UK fishing.  So UK will be protecting UK waters over a threat from Europe when no-one is fishing there.   Winner out of this are the fish as they can proliferate.

I'm thinking WTF almost continuously now.  A classic "be careful what you wish for" moment. Stinks more than old fish on a hot day.

You heard a French firm won the rights to monitor UK fishing?
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/ … ear/13/12/

No, I didn't know that.   It's more and more like a pantomine and comedy-tragedy or farce all rolled up into one.  Of course they would have had to award that deal on EU procurement rules but they could have just said, national interest, sorry.  They could have done that anyway.  They can always cancel it now and go another way.  And two fingers up to the EU over the UK getting kicked out of participation in the Galileo GPS system enhanced accuracy.  I cannot believe the EU has done that.  And I cannot believe the UK hasn't tried to get back it's billion investment.  What a stupid thing to do unless there's some kind of offset on other settlements.

UK has  already thought OneWeb might be a potential replacement at least in the second generation launches/constellation.

Vicces1 wrote:

...

fluffy2560 wrote:

If you feel enthusiastic, I can recommend "The Umbrella Academy".  Season 1 was only a bit above average but Season 2 was excellent.  Netflix has I think renewed for a 3rd season.  Hope they keep it up. Only thing is we have to wait for it!

I watched the 1st season and it didn't pull me into the 2nd season. I can't imagine picking it up again. I just don't like the characters that much.

I know what you mean about Season 1 but really Season 2 is so much better so I'd definitely give it a go.  I don't know what happened but suddenly the writing improved, the character depth improved, the acting and dynamics all were good, the pace really picked up and the situations became well organised (in directing), story was more fluid, excellently edited and above all it was entertaining.  I would rate Season 2 easily as good as The Boys.  None of them are perfect but I would have given Season 1 Umbrella a C+ but I'd be giving Season 2 an A or A+.   

YMMV!

Vicces1 wrote:

...

fluffy2560 wrote:

Lack of travel is driving me bonkers and culturally becoming a bit isolating.

Amen!

But what to do about it?!  Only so much dog walking, DIY and reorganising one can do.  I am beginning to draw parallels with being in some kind of prison.  Randomly wondering if jailed celebs keep up with their fellow prisoners once they are out.     As someone who has done some military service I think I could do time in a prison regime if it wasn't too long. But C19 seems to be becoming like how it might seem in a prison long term - i.e. oppressive. 

As I'm musing randomly, a slow moving Walking Dead zombie virus apocalypse could at least be exciting and we could have guns and baseball bats.

Oh, and BTW, the end of GoT was criminal.  What a terrible ending!   It made no sense at all to me.  Like they wanted to tie it all up and kill everyone asap.  Bonkers.

OK, I will give Umbrella Season 2 a try....costs me nothing :-)
- I'll let you know. It'll have to be after The Expanse... Season 3 episode 8 now!

My friend and I used to say that people can tolerate most things if they know when it will end. Hate the dentist? You still know it will end within the hour. Away from home and missing family? You still know you will see them in 2 weeks, or in 2 months. There's a date for the ending. C19 promises no end date yet. I think this is what makes the quarantines so annoying after so much time -- we don't get the feeling there is an end date to it. Sure, hopes are on a vaccine, but between the logistical nightmares, the vast number of people who need to get it to be truly effective, the Covidiots and the anti-vaxxers, and those without enough trust in the system to actually take the vaccine, it will still be a while before there is a return to open borders and atmospheres.
I read that 59% of Russians do not intend to take the Russian vaccine, and of course Putin has said he is not in the demographic to take it, so trust in that variant is quite low. Maybe the Chinese will simply mandate their version. The Hungarian website, https://vakcinainfo.gov.hu/, does not guarantee which version of the vaccine you would receive, just sort of "one of the available vaccines" and Hungary has previously said, it would take the Russian variant.
https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-coronav … istration/

Half of Hungarians say they would not take the vaccine.

Vicces1 wrote:

OK, I will give Umbrella Season 2 a try....costs me nothing :-)
- I'll let you know. It'll have to be after The Expanse... Season 3 episode 8 now!

My friend and I used to say that people can tolerate most things if they know when it will end. Hate the dentist? You still know it will end within the hour. Away from home and missing family? You still know you will see them in 2 weeks, or in 2 months. There's a date for the ending. C19 promises no end date yet. I think this is what makes the quarantines so annoying after so much time -- we don't get the feeling there is an end date to it. Sure, hopes are on a vaccine, but between the logistical nightmares, the vast number of people who need to get it to be truly effective, the Covidiots and the anti-vaxxers, and those without enough trust in the system to actually take the vaccine, it will still be a while before there is a return to open borders and atmospheres.
I read that 59% of Russians do not intend to take the Russian vaccine, and of course Putin has said he is not in the demographic to take it, so trust in that variant is quite low. Maybe the Chinese will simply mandate their version. The Hungarian website, https://vakcinainfo.gov.hu/, does not guarantee which version of the vaccine you would receive, just sort of "one of the available vaccines" and Hungary has previously said, it would take the Russian variant.
https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-coronav … istration/

Half of Hungarians say they would not take the vaccine.

for the Umbrella Academy Season 2.

Indeed, yes, if one can see an end then it's possible to tolerate something.  I don't know about hating my dentist. It'd be nice if he'd get back to work so I'd have reason to hate him.  He's completely closed down and is only thinking of reopening in March 2021.

But even so, looking at the population, even if they had  the capacity to do 1M a month, it would take most of the year to finish up the vaccinations.  Even my own country, the UK, cannot do 1M a month and they have large and organised resources compared to here.  Over there, I think they were at about 140K a week so far. And there's two shots to be given.  So 2021 will be another COVID19 wasted year and possibly even most of 2022.

And now of course, there's the new COVID19 variant and there's no data on efficacy of the current vaccines.   The variant has higher transmissability but the disease is less virulent. So perhaps this now means it will always be in the population like influenza.  Over the years I've been alive, new diseases have been discovered a few times - Legionnaire's Disease for example.  New ones will be waiting on the doorstep every year.

Those in HU refusing the vaccine might change their mind if there's a choice on which one to have.  They have to get to perhaps 95% vaccination levels to stomp it out.  I note also there's no private route to vaccination and therefore no way to have a choice in HU.

A Russian speaker I know told me there are news reports of the Russians producing huge quantities of their vaccine for local use but also importing a few million doses from outside.   Obviously the rumour mill has wasted no time on that - outside vaccines are for the "elite".  China won't mess around, they'll forcibly do it.

BTW, Mrs Fluffy told me that when she was about 6 years old, all the kids were forced to have a Russian made vaccination which made them all very sick.  Hungarians in their 50s will remember that time. She doesn't know the name of the vaccinations but there were two given together and everyone was ill.

I also note the HU web site for vaccination registration is only in Hungarian.  You'd think they'd put it up at least in English and German and even Chinese as well.  It makes sense to just vaccinate everyone who is here within the borders, regardless of status.  Be ridiculous to have reservoir of the disease in some groups. I'm thinking mainly of refugees or other immigrants.

The list just keeps on growing...... I am so glad I did not visit the UK.

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-rus … s-12169044

I'm afraid this new variation of C-19 will make it impossible to travel anywhere without getting the ."jab".
First you will be free to refuse the shots but no travel, then it will be no shot you can not enter here or there.
then it will be you can't leave your home without it.
It will get ugly for those who refuse it.
I'm not going to run off to be first in line but at my age what does it matter if it gives you cancer in 5 year's time or shuts down your liver functions?
What is scary to me is the children and young adults who may suffer in the future from a "mistake" in the vax.
Sorry folks, that won't help when you have tumors growing everywhere or are peeing blood.
If it comes down to a shot or going into a camp for our own good, then I'll have to make my choices.
What "kills" me is how people just blindly believe anything the news or gov. tell them.
The US may be giving out more $$ to people. Honestly though how much good is $600. ging to be for anyone after no work for nearly a years time? It could come down to food for shots.
I'm really afraid we will see people dropping like flies once this jabbing starts in full force. Hope and pray I'm wrong.
My husband thinks I've gone off the deep end but I'm already thinking of shipping out a few f my valuables in "care packages" to those on my "list" Getting a few itmes insured and using a good service for delivery.
Writing out my will, making sure my few pennies go to someone other then the state .
I'm in very good overall health but for how long who knows after the jab.
Not paranoid just know some history,instead of showers for all this time it will be shots for all.

I am all for the jab

Most of the readers and members of the forum are already a bit older, the Corona thing could very well make us die quickly (which has its advantages as well). Anyhow, I think most of us have had an interesting life (in any case not dying in WW II or alike which is already a blessing).
Me and my wife will take the jab, perhaps there will be lasting side effects (but so will the virus (if caught). We do not have too long to live (in any case me) and I would like to enjoy a bit whilst I can.

Side remark, many reasons to become depressive (absolutely true), but it is not WW III with all types of new weapons and a positive thing is that I will not be asked to fight at the front (if it would happen).
Not having experienced war first hand I think is a blessing, compared to that Covid is just a hick up (even if we take this as a reason to be in virtual self isolation).
Having said that, enough cat/dog food, more than enough water/canned food and we have the luxury of ordering with a burger joint. (The house remains warm, we have Netflix, warm bath)

I wish a good Christmas for all readers

Most of the readers and members of the forum are already a bit older, the Corona thing could very well make us die quickly (which has its advantages as well). Anyhow, I think most of us have had an interesting life (in any case not dying in WW II or alike which is already a blessing).
Me and my wife will take the jab, perhaps there will be lasting side effects (but so will the virus (if caught). We do not have too long to live (in any case me) and I would like to enjoy a bit whilst I can.

Side remark, many reasons to become depressive (absolutely true), but it is not WW III with all types of new weapons and a positive thing is that I will not be asked to fight at the front (if it would happen).
Not having experienced war first hand I think is a blessing, compared to that Covid is just a hick up (even if we take this as a reason to be in virtual self isolation).
Having said that, enough cat/dog food, more than enough water/canned food and we have the luxury of ordering with a burger joint. (The house remains warm, we have Netflix, warm bath)

I wish a good Christmas for all readers

SimCityAT wrote:

The list just keeps on growing...... I am so glad I did not visit the UK.

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-rus … s-12169044

They are jumping on the bandwagon.    The threat must be absolutely minimal.  It's already endemic in places like Netherlands.   The only thing is if different variants are sufficiently different to stuff up the current vaccines.  Reports on the media this meaning said the vaccine companies think it will still work.

The obvious thing brought up about the French difficulties is because of sticking the boot in over Brexit and/or Macron's election and his fish based electorate.  We're all just prawns who should know our plaices.

fluffy2560 wrote:

SimCityAT wrote:

The list just keeps on growing...... I am so glad I did not visit the UK.

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-rus … s-12169044

They are jumping on the bandwagon.    The threat must be absolutely minimal.  It's already endemic in places like Netherlands.   The only thing is if different variants are sufficiently different to stuff up the current vaccines.  Reports on the media this meaning said the vaccine companies think it will still work.

The obvious thing brought up about the French difficulties is because of sticking the boot in over Brexit and/or Macron's election and his fish based electorate.  We're all just prawns who should know our plaices.

True, know your place or get a ,"hot shot".
We've all let our guard down for so long that this is what we get now.
We may of been taken over by body snatchers in power..
No, serisouly things are getting crazy and the show has just started.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

SimCityAT wrote:

The list just keeps on growing...... I am so glad I did not visit the UK.

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-rus … s-12169044

They are jumping on the bandwagon.    The threat must be absolutely minimal.  It's already endemic in places like Netherlands.   The only thing is if different variants are sufficiently different to stuff up the current vaccines.  Reports on the media this meaning said the vaccine companies think it will still work.

The obvious thing brought up about the French difficulties is because of sticking the boot in over Brexit and/or Macron's election and his fish based electorate.  We're all just prawns who should know our plaices.

True, know your place or get a ,"hot shot".
We've all let our guard down for so long that this is what we get now.
We may of been taken over by body snatchers in power..
No, serisouly things are getting crazy and the show has just started.

It's easy to just sucked into fake news and QAnonsense in this social media world.  I'm even guilty of it myself.  I'm usually thinking we should have verifiable reports before posting. 

Mrs Fluffy is reporting Hungarian stories to me which are complete nonsense.  Usually there's a time lag on Western gossip appearing as "new" news here. 

The last one was that everyone in Wuhan is OK and that's because it was a Chinese experiment to nobble Western economies pending a more virulent attempt later.  Interesting theory but so irresponsible it's hard to believe.  Their wealth and power depends on selling rubbish to us.

On the other hand we have the Russians using Novichok wherever they want and who would have believed that.

Appropriately I am listening to Street Fighting Man followed by Give me Shelter.
Predictive programming but instead of It's just a shout away, it's now just a shot away!

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Appropriately I am listening to Street Fighting Man followed by Give me Shelter.
Predictive programming but instead of It's just a shout away, it's now just a shot away!

Great choices! 

Stones are such great survivors.  Although I think they might be lizards in there given their very strange longevity and wrinkliness (if that's word). 

I've been trying to get "modern" as my youngest daughter was criticising me for not listening to any decent tracks.  So I had to tell her, I was listening to Dua Lipa and her track "Levitating". 

I was also looking at Billie Eilish - Bad Guy but apparently she's not "in" at the moment.

Not really my thing - more into dinosaur rock -  the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Under The Bridge is almost an opera after the middle).  Or even AC-DC (Whole Lotta Rosie -  awesome guitar, brutal musical energy).

Shame that some of those guys cannot afford T-shirts either.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Appropriately I am listening to Street Fighting Man followed by Give me Shelter.
Predictive programming but instead of It's just a shout away, it's now just a shot away!

Great choices! 

Stones are such great survivors.  Although I think they might be lizards in there given their very strange longevity and wrinkliness (if that's word). 

I've been trying to get "modern" as my youngest daughter was criticising me for not listening to any decent tracks.  So I had to tell her, I was listening to Dua Lipa and her track "Levitating". 

I was also looking at Billie Eilish - Bad Guy but apparently she's not "in" at the moment.

Not really my thing - more into dinosaur rock -  the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Under The Bridge is almost an opera after the middle).  Or even AC-DC (Whole Lotta Rosie -  awesome guitar, brutal musical energy).

Shame that some of those guys cannot afford T-shirts either.

Some modern music is OK. once in a blue moon I hear something catchy on the radio but not too often.
Hungarian rap makes me laugh.
My baby bro used to look allot like the lead singer from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, until he gained some lbs. His hair is still super long,not sure why at this point in his life my bro still loves his long hair.
Think the last time he had a "real" haircut was when I was in beauty college and our mother dragged him into the school for me to cut his hair. He still teases me about that practice cut...
I enjoyed the now defuncked Hungarian band, NOX. Our next door neighbors brother was one of the male dancers in the group.
Seems we had a few talented people living in our building at one time. Bela Berki lived above this next door neighbor. He has several videos on U Tube with his Gypsy band. Nice man , passed away a few years back and the family moved away. Much to the relief of some people in the house.His boys were a bit wild.
Defo not doing Xmas this year at all, decided to stick to my guns this year and pass on the pagan holiday. I really don't know anyone else who is not partaking of this ritual so again, we are the odd men/women out.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....
Some modern music is OK. once in a blue moon I hear something catchy on the radio but not too often.
Hungarian rap makes me laugh.
My baby bro used to look allot like the lead singer from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, until he gained some lbs. His hair is still super long,not sure why at this point in his life my bro still loves his long hair.
Think the last time he had a "real" haircut was when I was in beauty college and our mother dragged him into the school for me to cut his hair. He still teases me about that practice cut...
I enjoyed the now defuncked Hungarian band, NOX. Our next door neighbors brother was one of the male dancers in the group.
Seems we had a few talented people living in our building at one time. Bela Berki lived above this next door neighbor. He has several videos on U Tube with his Gypsy band. Nice man , passed away a few years back and the family moved away. Much to the relief of some people in the house.His boys were a bit wild.
Defo not doing Xmas this year at all, decided to stick to my guns this year and pass on the pagan holiday. I really don't know anyone else who is not partaking of this ritual so again, we are the odd men/women out.

What about the Stereo MCs and British hip-hop?   One of my faves is Stereo MCs - Connected.

It's a case of tempus fugit because I was certain it was a much later track. I also had a cruise past Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence this morning and took a look at The Cure - A Forest. 

Obviously I've reverted to type.  All oldies but goldies.  The guy from The Cure got really old - they are all leathery old lizard people too.

Gypsy music is a bit rubbish.  Mrs Fluffy showed me some famous gypsy singer died the other day and had a super fancy funeral with white horses, white carriage, giant TV screen and so on.   He was singing in the background and it sounded totally tuneless.  What a turn off.

Xmas is just nonsense. Not being a grinch but it works for kids under about 10. I suppose in other circumstances I could really get into it as a break from the melee but none of us were really (and truly) expecting Brexit to be the way it is and COVID19 just messed up being in my  Xmas stocking this year.  I'd  really have been happy for a lump of coal instead. Santa has really let us all down.  Probably got smashed and is sleeping it off or is recovering from COVID19 caught from Rudolph or the elves. 

If it had been a normal year, we'd probably have spent it on Gran Canaria eating paella by the beach.

Music can make or break your life, personally, classical music, but also Uriah Heep, Renaissance, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden. Nine Treasures, Pavlovs Dog.
Rap, and all these modern things not for me (makes me depressive)

Still taste is developed I think between the age of 10 and 16.

By the way I really do NOT like ABBA and alike.

cdw057 wrote:

Music can make or break your life, personally, classical music, but also Uriah Heep, Renaissance, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden. Nine Treasures, Pavlovs Dog.
Rap, and all these modern things not for me (makes me depressive)

Still taste is developed I think between the age of 10 and 16.

By the way I really do NOT like ABBA and alike.

ABBA, what a throw back!
In 1978 when we visited Hungary, everyone and their mother loved ABBA.
Posters everywhere.
I only liked Dancing Queen when it was playing at the Starwood in Hollywood and all the gays and freaks would hit the dance floor, all campy and stylin".
Weird thing was when our son who was exposed to great music like Led Zepplin, ELO, Pink Floyd and the lot, fell head over heels in love with ABBA in his teens.
Hours and hours of watching ABBA DVD's and him even joining the ABBA Fan Club in Sweden.
He brought back in his suitcase a cobblestone from some photo shoot ABBA made for one of their LP covers. Must weigh at least 5 kilos! Had it right in his suitcase, wonder customs didn't ask WTF?
Great door stopper!
Yes, our boy can be a bit "nerdy" but he is our nerd.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

cdw057 wrote:

....
By the way I really do NOT like ABBA and alike.

ABBA, what a throw back!
In 1978 when we visited Hungary, everyone and their mother loved ABBA.
Posters everywhere.
I only liked Dancing Queen when it was playing at the Starwood in Hollywood and all the gays and freaks would hit the dance floor, all campy and stylin".
Weird thing was when our son who was exposed to great music like Led Zepplin, ELO, Pink Floyd and the lot, fell head over heels in love with ABBA in his teens.
Hours and hours of watching ABBA DVD's and him even joining the ABBA Fan Club in Sweden.
He brought back in his suitcase a cobblestone from some photo shoot ABBA made for one of their LP covers. Must weigh at least 5 kilos! Had it right in his suitcase, wonder customs didn't ask WTF?
Great door stopper!
Yes, our boy can be a bit "nerdy" but he is our nerd.

Stealing road surface cobbles from Sweden?  Wow, that's Abba dedication!  I hope he still has it.  Could be worth something.   Abba really did some catchy tunes and they've entered everyone's lives.  Shocking really to say but perhaps even more popular than The Beatles.  Almost heresy.

They do come up repeatedly in conversations - in this village, someone has sprayed F***k  ABA, which we've mused on for years if they really meant ABBA but if so, the secondary question is whether Benny or Bjorn was the subject of the graffiti?   I mean, what did Benny (or Bjorn) do to deserve that?  Well, apart from the costumes, platform shoes and bad hair cuts ...oh and the irritating and earworm inducing catchy pop.

All praise the Nerds.

ABBA fashion! Even in it's day it was way too over the top.
Yes, My expensive 2 storage units in Las Vegas are just full of fun items.
Everything from ABBA cobblestones to pressure valves for 1980s model nuclear subs... Almost forgot the collection of nuts and bolts that are high quality machine shop works and of course all those "valuable" free casino gifts we collected over the years, some red lace up cowgirl boots and that pink sweatshirt that was given to me that scream in load letters, MINNESOTA! Just can't live without those things... Actually just the collectin of classic video games which my son over valued at over $20,000 , our photo albums, old family films, my husband's machine tools and of curse our Max's ashes are the only valuable things in storage. Makes one wonder what is really important and what you can or can't live without.
Almost forgt my LP collection.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

ABBA fashion! Even in it's day it was way too over the top.
Yes, My expensive 2 storage units in Las Vegas are just full of fun items.
Everything from ABBA cobblestones to pressure valves for 1980s model nuclear subs... Almost forgot the collection of nuts and bolts that are high quality machine shop works and of course all those "valuable" free casino gifts we collected over the years, some red lace up cowgirl boots and that pink sweatshirt that was given to me that scream in loud letters, MINNESOTA! Just can't live without those things... Actually just the collection of classic video games which my son over valued at over $20,000 , our photo albums, old family films, my husband's machine tools and of course our Max's ashes are the only valuable things in storage. Makes one wonder what is really important and what you can or can't live without.
Almost forgot my LP collection.

My LP collection and my singles collection was stolen by burglars many years ago in England.  Never saw them again.  Shame as I had some very rare original singles - including at least one Beatles 45.

I don't know if you've ever seen Storage Wars - people buying abandoned/unpaid storage units.  Interesting programme.  People - at least on the TV show - have found all sorts of expensive and valuable things.   Sometimes I think it's a set up.  People finding De Loreans (without flux capacitors) or a James Bond underwater/submarine Lotus - how often does that happen.

I can imagine them fighting over your boots and casino gifts.  We've got some of those kinds of things from LV too - Mrs Fluffy and I did a month long California/Nevada road trip way back in the mid-late 90s.   I think we have some gold goblets and some plastic tubs for storing change in them from some casino - what a weird place. Oh and a LV fridge magnet - we have 10s if not 100s of them.  We get one whenever we go places for the first time.   

I can imagine someone really needing a pressure valve for a nuclear sub.  Who hasn't wondered why they didn't get one before?  If it was really interesting and nicely finished and very brassy or stainless steel glitzy, I'd buy one as an historical artefact. Bit of Industrial chic.  I am sure others would be up to bid if you put it or anything on Ebay.

I remember those days of platform shoes.  I don't know how many broken ankles resulted from wearing those things.  Teetering on big clunky heels.  And flared trousers (US: pants).  WTF? Lived through all that and no desire to go back!  I notice every so often young 'uns rediscover those things and they are back in again.  Big flappy bits at the end of your legs. No way Jose! Been there and done that!

BTW, we had a storage unit for some years but it was nonsense. It would have been easier to rent an apartment to store everything there considering how much it all cost.

Santa is going to be on his way.  I hope he's had a COVID19 test.  If he had to be in quarantine, we'd be getting our presents in the middle of January.  Maybe he's got a North Pole diplomatic passport and can waltz in.