Absolutely Anything Else

Got some uplifting news from my brother today;

He went out for about 6 hours yesterday from rehab!

We take our freedom to move about for granted.

He went for a car ride, a trip home to collect some items, to the bank and out to eat.

Still no leg to stand on but he is strong enough to lift himself in and out of the car and hop about on crutches.

He is very positive when his leg is ready that he will be fine and independent!

He has worked hard these last 10 months to get this far. I am super proud of him!

Got some uplifting news from my brother today;
He went out for about 6 hours yesterday from rehab!
We take our freedom to move about for granted.
He went for a car ride, a trip home to collect some items, to the bank and out to eat.
Still no leg to stand on but he is strong enough to lift himself in and out of the car and hop about on crutches.
He is very positive when his leg is ready that he will be fine and independent!
He has worked hard these last 10 months to get this far. I am super proud of him! - @Marilyn Tassy

This is really good news.  It's a great development.  It's important for him to be independent.  And for him to be determined, it's all super good it's coming together.

If one looks at people with one leg, they really adapt fast.  Those athletes with those fancy carbon fibre spring like appliances can sprint incredibly fast.   It's almost like the Six Million Dollar (Wo)Man.  Maybe he'll be taking part in some sporty events for those like him.

I am so grateful he seems like he has not given up.

From deaths door to going out again is a miracle!

My bro was never into sports but just being alive and smelling the coffee as they say is enough.

It must of been strange though to go out in public for the first time with no leg.

Lots of looks I am sure.Darn holidays delayed his leg being ready.

I saw a post about some insurance companies in the US saying that it is not medically necessary to give prosthetic limbs to amputees!

No wonder people are going after CEOs of health insurance firms!

Those high tech limbs for sports for sure are not covered by insurance companies, they cost over $50,000 on up. Some have computers in them for people without knees etc;

Darn US, maybe people will have to go back to using a wooden peg leg!

I am so grateful he seems like he has not given up.From deaths door to going out again is a miracle!My bro was never into sports but just being alive and smelling the coffee as they say is enough.It must of been strange though to go out in public for the first time with no leg.Lots of looks I am sure.Darn holidays delayed his leg being ready.I saw a post about some insurance companies in the US saying that it is not medically necessary to give prosthetic limbs to amputees!No wonder people are going after CEOs of health insurance firms!Those high tech limbs for sports for sure are not covered by insurance companies, they cost over $50,000 on up. Some have computers in them for people without knees etc;Darn US, maybe people will have to go back to using a wooden peg leg! - @Marilyn Tassy

That's outrageous that prosthetic items are not supplied by insurance companies.  I have little respect for the US medical insurance system not that it means anyone should shoot health CEOs on the street.   Imagine Trump saying Canada being a new State of the USA - it'd take 100 years to work out how to cover Canada's universal healthcare.  So incompatible with the Teflon Don's brain.  And Trump was only elected for 4 years.  He's going to be lame duck with a very tenuous power over Congress.  And soon, a convicted felon - we'll find out about that by tomorrow.  Sorry, I'm digressing and ranting at the same time.

Your bro is or was a practical guy, I am sure he could actually design his own leg using aircraft aluminium.  Maybe the airline will give him some.   It'll be the moulding (US: mold) for the stump which could be a problem but I can see how that might be possible to shape using some foam insulation in a plastic bag.  Years ago, I saw them making Formula 1 race car seats for specific drivers like that.  But if he made a mould, perhaps he could then use scanning software on plaster of paris version made from the mould shape.  Then a 3D printer to make a robust test version.  Then attach the aluminium tube and maybe a moulded foot and sprung hinge at the bottom to mimic leg spring in the step.  Maybe even use carbon fibre for the moulded part or the spring. I am pretty sure it'll take a few versions to work out the stresses but I reckon he could easily do it.     

I could see how it could work.  In any case, it's the journey, not the destination!

p.s. I found a YouTube video on how to do it.  Looks easy! Click here.  Strangely compelling.  Like a giant condom.  Maybe it's one of those ASMR things.

Perhaps if my husband still had his machine shop he could make a temp sort of stump for my bro but it is more complicated then that.

They make up a custom sleeve for comfort and fit, some sort of suction needs to hold the leg on.

There or a few types they can make but for most everyday use it is a sleeve, sock they call it with suction.

The constant rubbing on one stump can hurt and make sores if it is not fit right.

My bro who worked for the airlines is the one who died 2 years ago.

They baby bro, Lon was a school maintenance worker. Everything fro painting the school, changing out light bulbs and unclogging toilets. A decnet paying city job, he made really good money when he had a contract with the state of Ca; Lost that when his insane Ex had him busted for 6 months for thossing his BFF through a plate glass window for being in bed with my bros wife when he got home from work early and found them messing about!

Man, I wish I could spend a few hours chatting with him in person. He has some wild stories from his roadie days to helping a Hells Angles with a ride when the guys bike broke down and sort of being stuck at a bikers party and not feeling like it was safe to excuse himself; He told a few tall tales to my hubby for for some reason he would not tell me; Protecting my sensitive ears?? Probably so!

That Ca; fire is just over the hill from them in Malibu. Nice to be semi close to the beach but not so much this time;

My old school mate lives with her 79 year old husband in Santa Monica is a public housing building.

Yesterday they were evacuating people one block north of her and half block west.

No news from her today. She should just hit the road and go to her sisters home? Her sister lives next door to my moms old home and so far is safe.

In 1970 though our entire valley of Simi was surrounded on all sides by fire.

Went out to our front lawn and the sky was a glow all around!

Mom had us all pack one bag and put it in the station wagon; We almost had to try and hit the narrow back road out of town with a few hundred thousand others! Yikes good thing the wind died down and the fires were put out;

I wonder if any of those homes with swimming pools would work if you had driving gear and just waited it out underwater with a tank,

@Cynic

I don't think they build houses like they used to and the fittings are the cheapest possible.  - @SimCityAT

You're probably right mate.

- @Cynic

UK houses are appallingly made.   I had a new house there once and the windows didn't close and the room heights were right on legal requirements.  It was absurd. We had no space and everything felt cramped.  Glad to get shot of it.  It's belt and braces here - solid concrete with brick infill.  Galvanised steel plumbing, not copper.  Never going to break even with ice in it.  Where it matters usually.  Or heavy duty plastic where unexposed.  We do not have waste pipes on the outside of houses - never freeze up.

I don't know what is going on but my previous post is showing as attributed to SimCityAT, not Fluffy2560.

And some posts from Cynic and SimCityAT seem to have disappeared.

My last house I bought in Wales, was built by a couple of builders with high specs. It was a new build, but wasn't by a mass estate build.

Going back to where my parents had their first house. It would seem that people bought a plot of land and built their house. Each house seemed to be different.

@fluffy2560

  Yep, posting links not working

@fluffy2560
Yep, posting links not working - @SimCityAT

No, I got it wrong.  I thought I was in the other thread and misunderstood it was recreated here.  I not paying full attention, I was trying to multi-task with other stuff at the same time.  Never a good idea.

I'm losing my marbles.

I deleted my film post about the Welsh Western and moved it to the Film Topic.

I do not feel so bad or stupid now about my not being able to edit my posts from this site.

If the heavy hitters are having issues then light weight me gets a slight pass;.

I am also an impatient person at times and hate digging into problems too deeply.

I just say forget it and move on.

Usually works in life to let things go but of course one does need to draw a line and know when to stand up and fix things before they get out of control.

I am rambling need to get out in the sunshine before the much cooler weather returns.

My bro is safe in Ca from the fires so far, his son in Pasadena had to evacuate for a night but is back home.

No news from my Santa Monica friend.

Ca. is literally toast now. Sad, many people will have to leave and never return.

Hope they do not all go to Vegas!

I do not feel so bad or stupid now about my not being able to edit my posts from this site.
If the heavy hitters are having issues then light weight me gets a slight pass;.
I am also an impatient person at times and hate digging into problems too deeply.
I just say forget it and move on.
Usually works in life to let things go but of course one does need to draw a line and know when to stand up and fix things before they get out of control.
I am rambling need to get out in the sunshine before the much cooler weather returns.
My bro is safe in Ca from the fires so far, his son in Pasadena had to evacuate for a night but is back home.
No news from my Santa Monica friend.
Ca. is literally toast now. Sad, many people will have to leave and never return.
Hope they do not all go to Vegas! - @Marilyn Tassy

I am not sure who the heavy hitters are.  Waffling on. I definitely get more confused as I get older. I think I've got a progressive neurological deficit.  I've got a tremor in my hands although it's barely noticeable to most people.  I usually just tell people about it when I meet them as it's obvious sometimes.  I know that it's essential tremor (or more specifically intention tremor). My mother had it and my siblings have it too.   One manifestation of it now is not being able to do close work.  Like if I was into being a watchmaker (I always liked that idea), I couldn't do it as small close in work I now find difficult.  Oddly, past year or so, I've notice that I seem to get awkward with close jobs that need dexterity. It's like I can see what I need to do but I'm somehow not able to get my hands in the right place to do it.  I used to be able to get straight in there and get on with it.  But with the tremor, it's really difficult to position tools accurately.  It's only small work, I can undo big nuts and bolts with larger tools, no problem.  I guess it could be normal aging.  Only thing is it could be a sign of multiple sclerosis.   That would be a real f***up if I had that. 

Good to hear your relatives and contacts are safe from the fires. I'm reading the fire hydrants weren't working and the helicopters were grounded because of high winds.   Not to be too dismissive, a lot of those who lost their homes were rich Hollywood types so they'll be insured up to their eyeballs and are rich enough to rebuild.  Others will suffer. People like Musk and Trump and their sycophants could help those less fortunate out.    I expect a lot of court cases will occur regarding the local and state authorities not being able to put up a response due to water issues.  Sounds like negligence.  I don't get it, why aren't they pumping in water from far away (even 1000s of miles) or building large scale reservoirs (I know about the LA canal and the Colorado river etc)?  Where's the management? Asleep at the wheel?

It is a mess and full of evil doers in Ca; 11 years ago they were suppose to fill the reservior near the Palisades fire. It was suppose to house snow run off water but NO, the idiots decided to pour the water into the Pacific to save some fish!!

The gov;.and the mayor of LA should be hung in a public square!!

IDK for sure but many say the smart meters that were put in homes also may of helped light them up. I see after all his crying James Woods home was spared!

It is always the working class that is hurt.

First it was Paradise , Ca, with the fires, then Maui , now they went full out on LA!

It is a mess and full of evil doers in Ca; 11 years ago they were suppose to fill the reservior near the Palisades fire. It was suppose to house snow run off water but NO, the idiots decided to pour the water into the Pacific to save some fish!!
The gov;.and the mayor of LA should be hung in a public square!!
IDK for sure but many say the smart meters that were put in homes also may of helped light them up. I see after all his crying James Woods home was spared!
It is always the working class that is hurt.
First it was Paradise , Ca, with the fires, then Maui , now they went full out on LA! - @Marilyn Tassy

It seems short sighted to not provide for water for whatever purpose. It's been a problem for years in that area. That LA canal and aqueduct system seems not to be  feeding anything like what's needed into that urban coastal area.  It's a desert.  I can see this being more and more of a problem everywhere in the next 100 years, not just in LA.  Not that I care about 100 years but if I had grandchildren, I'd be concerned for them. 

Here in HU, I think they should be thinking about building reservoirs, maybe in the Matra mountains, just to hedge against future droughts.   When I first came here 30+ years ago,  they were saying the aquifers were getting too low.  I guess they filled up again as I've not heard anyone mention it again.

I thought James Wood was a tough guy!  He can cope and if not, he can hire people to cope for him.  He's rich enough. Meh!

https://news.sky.com/story/whos-been-bl … s-13287557

https://news.sky.com/story/whos-been-bl … s-13287557 - @SimCityAT

Anything to take a potshot at the Democrats. 

Trump should keep out of it.  He's not President yet and doesn't have any responsibility for it.  It's easy to be critical when you're not in the big job.   When it's his clown show, he and his brown nosers can argue against themselves.

On the other hand, Biden could perhaps have invoked FEMA to help out.  Biden's doing various quick things on immigration and pardons and the like as he winds down.  We don't know for sure but I guess it should have been 24x7 weapons delivery to Ukraine from the time he and Kamala knew they'd lost.  I'd have been sending all I could.  He could have done an awful lot more for them on executive orders.

https://news.sky.com/story/whos-been-bl … s-13287557 - @SimCityAT
Anything to take a potshot at the Democrats.
Trump should keep out of it. He's not President yet and doesn't have any responsibility for it. It's easy to be critical when you're not in the big job. When it's his clown show, he and his brown nosers can argue against themselves.

On the other hand, Biden could perhaps have invoked FEMA to help out. Biden's doing various quick things on immigration and pardons and the like as he winds down. We don't know for sure but I guess it should have been 24x7 weapons delivery to Ukraine from the time he and Kamala knew they'd lost. I'd have been sending all I could. He could have done an awful lot more for them on executive orders. - @fluffy2560

To be fair, Trump was asked for his opinion and if what he said was anywhere near the truth (water mismanagement, poor city planning and environmental objectives), then his response was typical Trump, but not far from the mark.

https://news.sky.com/story/whos-been-bl … s-13287557 - @SimCityAT
Anything to take a potshot at the Democrats.
Trump should keep out of it. He's not President yet and doesn't have any responsibility for it. It's easy to be critical when you're not in the big job. When it's his clown show, he and his brown nosers can argue against themselves.

On the other hand, Biden could perhaps have invoked FEMA to help out. Biden's doing various quick things on immigration and pardons and the like as he winds down. We don't know for sure but I guess it should have been 24x7 weapons delivery to Ukraine from the time he and Kamala knew they'd lost. I'd have been sending all I could. He could have done an awful lot more for them on executive orders. - @fluffy2560

To be fair, Trump was asked for his opinion and if what he said was anywhere near the truth (water mismanagement, poor city planning and environmental objectives), then his response was typical Trump, but not far from the mark. - @Cynic

Some of that is true but the protected fish thing stopping water usage for fire fighting has been debunked. Also, the Santa Ynez reservoir was being repaired so that's why there wasn't much water in it.

There's an awful lot of history online about water management in the LA area. Not that it makes any difference on the ground right now.

People in NC are still living in tents after those floods so those in Ca; should not hold their breath on getting housing unless they have the means to get another place.

I heard the wealthy are out bidding each other for new still standing homes!

Not sure how far $750; in FEMA relief funds will get anyone.

I wonder if Ukraine will give us a loan back? We could use it now in the states.

What is up with Maui, IDK, they seemed to have dropped coverage about that, old news, on to the next disaster.

All Ca, needs now is a good old earthquake.

Very sad and very disappointing how my state went down the toilet.

People in NC are still living in tents after those floods so those in Ca; should not hold their breath on getting housing unless they have the means to get another place.
I heard the wealthy are out bidding each other for new still standing homes!
Not sure how far $750; in FEMA relief funds will get anyone.
I wonder if Ukraine will give us a loan back? We could use it now in the states.
What is up with Maui, IDK, they seemed to have dropped coverage about that, old news, on to the next disaster.
All Ca, needs now is a good old earthquake.
Very sad and very disappointing how my state went down the toilet. - @Marilyn Tassy

I think California itself can bounce back no problem. It's a rich place full of wealthy people.  Anyway, people could always move out of CA and go to TX or NV or wherever.  The rich can afford to rent (not withstanding the CA price gouging laws).

I read FEMA can do grants of something like $22K and provide low cost loan referrals.  Not that helpful living in a rent controlled but expensive place.   I expect some people to swoop in and try and buy up lots in a fire sale.  People won't be able to pay for rebuilding.

I'd also be complaining about building standards.  Too much firewood and no water storage.  Building houses out of sticks and straw isn't going to help as the Three Little Pigs found out. 

It's alright, Elon has donated a load of his electric cars. The trouble is, no one is able to charge them.

But you would have thought the worlds richest man could have spared a few million dollars to the relief funds. 

https://news.sky.com/story/whos-been-bl … s-13287557 - @SimCityAT
Anything to take a potshot at the Democrats.
Trump should keep out of it. He's not President yet and doesn't have any responsibility for it. It's easy to be critical when you're not in the big job. When it's his clown show, he and his brown nosers can argue against themselves.

On the other hand, Biden could perhaps have invoked FEMA to help out. Biden's doing various quick things on immigration and pardons and the like as he winds down. We don't know for sure but I guess it should have been 24x7 weapons delivery to Ukraine from the time he and Kamala knew they'd lost. I'd have been sending all I could. He could have done an awful lot more for them on executive orders. - @fluffy2560

To be fair, Trump was asked for his opinion and if what he said was anywhere near the truth (water mismanagement, poor city planning and environmental objectives), then his response was typical Trump, but not far from the mark. - @Cynic
Some of that is true but the protected fish thing stopping water usage for fire fighting has been debunked. Also, the Santa Ynez reservoir was being repaired so that's why there wasn't much water in it.

There's an awful lot of history online about water management in the LA area. Not that it makes any difference on the ground right now. - @fluffy2560

The fish preservation is true, whether it stopped the water flowing when the fire began is another matter and I suspect may be politics, but there is/was water in the reservoirs.  The hydrants ran dry because of the action of the city in turning off the power at a critical point when the fire first started (it was part of the city procedure of what to do etc) - it was a clusterf**k, then the fire ate all the power lines and poles, and it all became a moot point which still exists today and will probably need the Corps of Engineers to sort out at a Federal level.

It's alright, Elon has donated a load of his electric cars. The trouble is, no one is able to charge them.
But you would have thought the worlds richest man could have spared a few million dollars to the relief funds. - @SimCityAT

Haha, that's hilarious in a sad way. I am becoming convinced Musk has some kind of autism or is in a mental health crisis.

Kind of reminds me of a book at read years ago where shoes were being donated to the poor in Africa and they were all high heels and fashion boots/shoes.  Useless.

There was another one I heard - also in Africa - where there was a clean water shortage so a company installed lots of wells and hand pumps but decided to charge for the water.  The people were so poor, they couldn't afford it and the wells went unused as the locals returned to the infested sewer of a free stream.

People in NC are still living in tents after those floods so those in Ca; should not hold their breath on getting housing unless they have the means to get another place.
I heard the wealthy are out bidding each other for new still standing homes!
Not sure how far $750; in FEMA relief funds will get anyone.
I wonder if Ukraine will give us a loan back? We could use it now in the states.
What is up with Maui, IDK, they seemed to have dropped coverage about that, old news, on to the next disaster.
All Ca, needs now is a good old earthquake.
Very sad and very disappointing how my state went down the toilet. - @Marilyn Tassy
I think California itself can bounce back no problem. It's a rich place full of wealthy people. Anyway, people could always move out of CA and go to TX or NV or wherever. The rich can afford to rent (not withstanding the CA price gouging laws).
I read FEMA can do grants of something like $22K and provide low cost loan referrals. Not that helpful living in a rent controlled but expensive place. I expect some people to swoop in and try and buy up lots in a fire sale. People won't be able to pay for rebuilding.

I'd also be complaining about building standards. Too much firewood and no water storage. Building houses out of sticks and straw isn't going to help as the Three Little Pigs found out. - @fluffy2560

I know people in NV and Texas do not want a ton of Ca coming in.They are too liberal and the residents do not want their attitudes.

Rents will go up in NV and Texas if it is flooded with newbies.

My parents were working class we bought a couple of homes in S; Ca; with the option of buying rental properties if they wanted to.

Now you need a 6 figure income just to rent a flat there.

What happened to Ca;?

They got rid of all the high paid factory jobs that is what happened to Ca;

They knew no end to over charging     and raising prices.

My step father was only 18 when he moved from Penn; to Ca and bought a house. he came from poor coal mining stock, no slush funds for him.

Now it take 2 high income workers just to get by in Ca.

It is a nice state but not so nice that anyone should have to work their lives away to live there.

It is a land grab for sure.

My old neighbor who purchased our house was only 28, from Armenia and this was his 3rd house in the neighborhood. He worked nights at one of those airline kitchens and his old father too the bus to some sort of job. His father did not speak English and looked unskilled.  His wife did not work or his mother. This was in 1992, 33 years later one needs a PHD to buy a home that a factory worker used to own.

I forget what we under priced out home for in 1992, was about $30,000 below average because we sold it ourselves without going 7 percent to an agent. It was fixed up with a large swimming pool in a nice area, $237,000 I think it was , could of rode it out and got closer to $280,000 as they were selling much higher if you were willing to wait;

We sold our house within 2 weeks,he got a deal.

Now our old house easily goes for more then a million.

Altadena prices are at least a million, working class area. We used to buy mike from Altadena dairy, raw milk, the best.

Our old neighborhood actually was rezoned to a much higher tax district a few years after we moved. Was in Reseda but now it is zoned as part of Encino. Just one block from the dividing line of super rich and working cl    ass, Ventura Blvd; like being on one side of the railroad tracks to another! Super nice area with long standing trees and nice built homes from the mid 1950s. When they actually used good materials to build with.

My parents bought their home in Simi for $17,500! Now that too goes for about a million; Bought it in 1966;

Los Angeles residents forced out of their homes by the wildfires that have devastated the city now fear they are facing illegal uplifts in the cost of rented accommodation.

NBC News spoke to a family who were offered a five-bedroom home in Santa Monica put on the market the day before for $28,000 (£23,000) a month - more than double the quoted rent a year ago.

Joe Thompson, 44, said: "We're not going to do that. We'll just keep looking."

Mr Thompson, his partner and their two young children were displaced by a wildfire that levelled much of their Los Angeles neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades last week.

Although their house was left standing, they don't know the extent of the damage or when they will be allowed back

The practice of landlords increasing the cost of rent, known in the US as "price gouging", is banned under Californian law and anyone facing such increases is being asked to report it to authorities.

@Marilyn Tassy

That's like houses in the UK, bought for £5,000 now worth £900,000

@Marilyn Tassy
That's like houses in the UK, bought for £5,000 now worth £900,000 - @SimCityAT

My bro and his wife bought a nice condo in Camerillo,Ca; Just over thee mountain from Malibu.

They paid something like $460,000.

Guess the value  will jump now? It is insane.

Our mistake was not buying a house in Ca; sooner then we did. We never have been very much into owning things even when we could of afforded more then we had.

We never bought a brand new car when it was no big thing to afford for us.

We still drive a 30 year old car here!

IDK, we enjoy nice things just like the next guy what learned  a long time ago they only give a temp; feeling of happiness.

We spent money of bringing people over from Hungary on a holiday for them;  We invited 4 people and a 5th show up as well! Not the end of the world to treat them but now we are not even in contact with them! Free airfare, trips to Vegas, Disneyland, Mexico, SF etc; for all of them.

Could of come up with a nice down payment on a home instead!

Now days we do not even load our son money or give him any.

@Marilyn Tassy
That's like houses in the UK, bought for £5,000 now worth £900,000 - @SimCityAT

My bro has a house he bought for something like £60K and he's lived in it for 25+ years.  Now houses in the same street have exceeded £1M.   It makes no sense to me it would be worth that much.  They could sell up and retire.  That's a nice possibility. 

I note the Spanish are planning 100% tax on third country nationals (i.e. not EU) buying houses in Spain. It's to nobble the housing supply in favour of locals/EU.   Buying a house there was a way of getting a residence permit/long term visa there which many British people were taking advantage of.  So that's going to be stopped.   Another Brexit non-benefit.

@fluffy2560

The main issue with Spain, was people were buying up properties as holiday homes for themselves, then using them as Airbnb for the rest of year. So locals were being priced out from buying or even renting.

Now if people are to move there full time or are already resident in Spain then they will be exempt.

Their Golden Visa comes to an in April this year as well.

The fish preservation is true, whether it stopped the water flowing when the fire began is another matter and I suspect may be politics, but there is/was water in the reservoirs. The hydrants ran dry because of the action of the city in turning off the power at a critical point when the fire first started (it was part of the city procedure of what to do etc) - it was a clusterf**k, then the fire ate all the power lines and poles, and it all became a moot point which still exists today and will probably need the Corps of Engineers to sort out at a Federal level. - @Cynic

The fish apparently didn't stop them pumping. 

The LAFD said if the power cables were in the ground, they wouldn't had to turn them off.  They were a danger to the firefighters.

But it's the same here.  We have switchgear on the outside of our house which enables the fire service to turn off power to the house in the event of an emergency.   But we also have overground power cables here in Hungary although not in my street.   In other streets nearby, they put the cables under the ground after they built/revamped a new substation.  But they didn't get as far as us.

In places I've been in the USA, I am amazed how ugly and messy the street cabling is.  It's far worse than here.  From what I've seen, a large number of places here do not have overhead cabling in new build residential streets.  It's a lot safer for emergency services.

I don't know about the Corps of Engineers.  My US colleague told me he was restricted by them building his Florida house on a waterway because of some plant growing there.  He said it was quite a fight to get it done. I think he prevailed in the end. 

@fluffy2560The main issue with Spain, was people were buying up properties as holiday homes for themselves, then using them as Airbnb for the rest of year. So locals were being priced out from buying or even renting. Now if people are to move there full time or are already resident in Spain then they will be exempt. Their Golden Visa comes to an in April this year as well. - @SimCityAT

Yes, I heard that on the news but not sure on the detail.  I don't think this 100% tax will work.  Just own it through a local company.  Job done.   I did read it was 27,000 properties a year. It's a drop in the ocean.  The real problem is not building enough property.  Same in the UK.

@fluffy2560

5 year card become 10 year cards, but the EU Blue card is something completely different and is only valid in that country that you applied for it in.

@fluffy2560
5 year card become 10 year cards, but the EU Blue card is something completely different and is only valid in that country that you applied for it in. - @SimCityAT

Yes, I just read I got that wrong so I deleted that. 

The 10 year card looks like it'll be the same as the 5 year card.  I suppose it will also say Article 50.

But then again, maybe by 2027, we'll be EU again. 😋

@fluffy2560
5 year card become 10 year cards, but the EU Blue card is something completely different and is only valid in that country that you applied for it in.  - @SimCityAT
Yes, I just read I got that wrong so I deleted that.
The 10 year card looks like it'll be the same as the 5 year card. I suppose it will also say Article 50.

But then again, maybe by 2027, we'll be EU again. 😋 - @fluffy2560

The 10 year card looks the same, just gives you permanent residency. When does your card come up for renewal?

@fluffy2560
5 year card become 10 year cards, but the EU Blue card is something completely different and is only valid in that country that you applied for it in. - @SimCityAT
Yes, I just read I got that wrong so I deleted that.
The 10 year card looks like it'll be the same as the 5 year card. I suppose it will also say Article 50.

But then again, maybe by 2027, we'll be EU again. 😋 - @fluffy2560
The 10 year card looks the same, just gives you permanent residency. When does your card come up for renewal? - @SimCityAT

2027 is the renewal date.

The fish preservation is true, whether it stopped the water flowing when the fire began is another matter and I suspect may be politics, but there is/was water in the reservoirs. The hydrants ran dry because of the action of the city in turning off the power at a critical point when the fire first started (it was part of the city procedure of what to do etc) - it was a clusterf**k, then the fire ate all the power lines and poles, and it all became a moot point which still exists today and will probably need the Corps of Engineers to sort out at a Federal level. - @Cynic
The fish apparently didn't stop them pumping.
The LAFD said if the power cables were in the ground, they wouldn't had to turn them off. They were a danger to the firefighters.

But it's the same here. We have switchgear on the outside of our house which enables the fire service to turn off power to the house in the event of an emergency. But we also have overground power cables here in Hungary although not in my street. In other streets nearby, they put the cables under the ground after they built/revamped a new substation. But they didn't get as far as us.

In places I've been in the USA, I am amazed how ugly and messy the street cabling is. It's far worse than here. From what I've seen, a large number of places here do not have overhead cabling in new build residential streets. It's a lot safer for emergency services.

I don't know about the Corps of Engineers. My US colleague told me he was restricted by them building his Florida house on a waterway because of some plant growing there. He said it was quite a fight to get it done. I think he prevailed in the end. - @fluffy2560

Pumping - fish, quite true (Delta Smelt), they have a State body devoted to this matter.

Trumps claim to offer Federal aid to move water to California was made in 2020, he claims now it was not to provide water to fight fires, rather the water could be used on the ground to prevent fires starting in the first place; whether this was a proven method of fire prevention, I don't have a scooby; to quote one of your former colleagues, "not me chief, I'm air frames", however, I know what regulatory governance can do and if Trumps claim is/was valid, then the State bodies are in it up to their neck.  I read they have now brought in portable generators from out of state, this has solved the water shortage to the hydrants; interestingly, it also seems to indicate that they hadn't thought to have any generators of their own for when their own procedure dictates that power is shut down.

What stopped them pumping was no electricity to run the pumps because of the daft things you mentioned - i.e. overhead cables and power thingies; the fact that they do this nationwide and also tend to build stick-frame buildings for people to live in would lead me to believe that some clever person had done some kind of risk assessment of this activity that would prevent non-federal agencies doing incredibly stupid things in the name of conservation and perhaps make provision of generators compulsory in each state where they do it.

Corps of Engineers are a federal body, they have enforcement power in specific areas if they chose to use it (link) and are already active in conservation in the US.

The fish preservation is true, whether it stopped the water flowing when the fire began is another matter and I suspect may be politics, but there is/was water in the reservoirs. The hydrants ran dry because of the action of the city in turning off the power at a critical point when the fire first started (it was part of the city procedure of what to do etc) - it was a clusterf**k, then the fire ate all the power lines and poles, and it all became a moot point which still exists today and will probably need the Corps of Engineers to sort out at a Federal level. - @CynicThe fish apparently didn't stop them pumping. The LAFD said if the power cables were in the ground, they wouldn't had to turn them off. They were a danger to the firefighters. But it's the same here. We have switchgear on the outside of our house which enables the fire service to turn off power to the house in the event of an emergency. But we also have overground power cables here in Hungary although not in my street. In other streets nearby, they put the cables under the ground after they built/revamped a new substation. But they didn't get as far as us.In places I've been in the USA, I am amazed how ugly and messy the street cabling is. It's far worse than here. From what I've seen, a large number of places here do not have overhead cabling in new build residential streets. It's a lot safer for emergency services. I don't know about the Corps of Engineers. My US colleague told me he was restricted by them building his Florida house on a waterway because of some plant growing there. He said it was quite a fight to get it done. I think he prevailed in the end.  - @fluffy2560Pumping - fish, quite true (Delta Smelt), they have a State body devoted to this matter.Trumps claim to offer Federal aid to move water to California was made in 2020, he claims now it was not to provide water to fight fires, rather the water could be used on the ground to prevent fires starting in the first place; whether this was a proven method of fire prevention, I don't have a scooby; to quote one of your former colleagues, "not me chief, I'm air frames", however, I know what regulatory governance can do and if Trumps claim is/was valid, then the State bodies are in it up to their neck. I read they have now brought in portable generators from out of state, this has solved the water shortage to the hydrants; interestingly, it also seems to indicate that they hadn't thought to have any generators of their own for when their own procedure dictates that power is shut down.What stopped them pumping was no electricity to run the pumps because of the daft things you mentioned - i.e. overhead cables and power thingies; the fact that they do this nationwide and also tend to build stick-frame buildings for people to live in would lead me to believe that some clever person had done some kind of risk assessment of this activity that would prevent non-federal agencies doing incredibly stupid things in the name of conservation and perhaps make provision of generators compulsory in each state where they do it.Corps of Engineers are a federal body, they have enforcement power in specific areas if they chose to use it (link) and are already active in conservation in the US. - @Cynic

I read online that the LAFD budget was cut last year by something like $17M.   I don't know if that would have meant they would have had generators to pump.  They will have a bigger budget next time.... and a reorganisation (i.e. some will fall or be pushed on their swords).  Building codes will change, possibly with more gravity distribution via storage/buffer tanks, less firewood in buildings, more concrete (also good for quakes), larger spacing between houses, regular removal of brush fuel surrounding housing areas.     

Here, a plot must have 5m free between houses.  But our houses are made out of bricks and concrete.  The only real fuel would be wood in the roof and flammable insulation on the outside of buildings (think Grenfell) or just stuff inside.   But we also do not have compulsory fire/smoke detectors, RCDs (for electricity) but we do have compulsory chimney and boiler inspections and cleaning.  If we see burnt houses here, usually it's the roof that's missing but the stairs, walls inside and out, are still there.

p.s. I was Green RAF, i.e. Rockapes.