'Wet look' or shiny leggings?

[Puffer 258]

It has long been the norm, at least in Western culture, to borrow money for specific purchases, and to pay interest on the gradually reducing loan.   Mortgage loans for property purchase are the most obvious example of widespread borrowing of often large sums; interest rates are generally modest.   As a general rule, with at least modest property inflation a certainty in even the medium term, 'borrow hard and borrow long' is a good maxim; a purchase at today's prices is much more affordable when paid for out of tomorrow's resources, assuming only that one's earnings keep reasonable pace with general inflation.  

Aside from mortgages, in the 'good old days', before credit cards and instant payday loans etc were available in the UK, ordinary folk had really only two choices if they wanted something that they could not buy outright for cash: extended credit (e.g. from a catalogue company, a 'tally man' or some high street shops) or hire purchase.   In both cases, interest would effectively be paid at a high rate (although often hidden within the price or the added 'charges') and the sanctions for default were more penal than the law now allows.   All such systems of credit were quite strictly regulated; it was not easy to get any significant HP facility without a chunky deposit and a shortish period for payment.   The result was that people thought very carefully about such borrowing and made sure they could meet the criteria and adhere to them.   But it was a lifeline to those, such as young newly-weds, who could not otherwise afford even basic household furniture and appliances, let alone a car.   The nickname for HP was the 'never-never' - the belief being that you never owned the item outright as you never finished paying for it!

In the late 1960s, most controls were abolished or significantly relaxed and the credit boom commenced with a vengeance.   Nothing much wrong with easy borrowing (loans or credit cards) if the terms are adhered to and the repayment regime is adhered to - BUT interest rates are typically high (often two or three times that charged on a mortgage or structured business loan - and sometimes very much more than that) and it is all too easy to get into a debt spiral whereby the outstanding principal plus accruing interest grows, despite regular and often significant repayments.   That has caused many people to borrow more to repay old debts ... and so on, playing into the hands of loan sharks and worse.   And the current trend is, it seems, for people to ignore the future completely when living for the moment - especially when the latest impulse-buy or extravagance is far from necessary and quite often of poor value.   The current condemnation of 'cheap' car finance provides but one good example of uneconomic personal finance.

I consider myself financially-disciplined and have never borrowed on an interest-paying basis, with the sole exception of mortgages (repaid early) and a small overdraft for a few months whilst I set up my first home more than 40 years ago.   I use three separate credit cards extensively for almost all over-the-counter and distance purchases, including fuel and groceries - BUT always repay in full each month by direct debit - the three settlement dates being roughly 10 days apart.   Using a card is a great convenience as funds are always available, significant cash need not be carried and I get a proper monthly record and single charge.   I do not see a credit card as a means of 'splurging' as it is not my practice to buy or commit to anything that I cannot fund out of whatever resources will be available within the free credit period.   Likewise, I have made a couple of major furniture purchases on 'free' extended credit over three years - although in another case I was able to get a discount by paying in full up-front, a useful bargaining-tool when a retailer is keen to get cash in.  I do accept, however, that borrowing on a credit card (or under an instant-loan facility) might be very helpful and indeed unavoidable if a sudden emergency arises, e.g. a car or appliance break-down, a medical problem or being stranded away from home - but the name of the game is to make repayments as soon as possible and on a disciplined basis.

As to involuntary lending, e.g. when one's work expenses are held up or work is done on credit for a slow payer, lessons are soon learned the hard way.   I'm old-fashioned enough to want (and expect) those with whom I do business to adhere to the terms which should have been agreed at the outset as strictly as I intend to myself.   Alas, it doesn't always work out that way and a threat of strategic withdrawal of further supplies or of recovery action may be necessary - and sometimes carried out too.

[Shyheels 183]

The magazine to which I contribute, and have contributed for more than twenty years, has really become quite a sleazy operator. I no longer trust them with anything and if I go on assignment for them insist on advances on expenses. This they will do, albeit reluctantly and with many hoops to jump through, but then they will start hassling you literally - literally - on your ride home from the airport, demanding a full accounting and hinting at swift legal action uf this isn't done within a very few days. 

I have even had these heavy handed emails arrive while I am transiting an airport en route to getting home, before I have even touched down at Heathrow. When it comes to getting money from them...well, you can wait for months, even a year.

Sleazy.

[Shyheels 183]

Back on the subject of the thread, did you read Sir Chris Hoy's comment on men (most particularly middle-aged men) in Lycra in his interview with GQ? I think he has a point, but his comments certainly provoked an outcry from all over the cycling community. It was quite interesting reading the points of view that were expressed - from women cyclists as well as men, mainly those of the heavier persuasion, about how wearing Lycra made them feel better about themselves and their efforts. It's not for me, but fair enough for them.  

[FastFreddy2 282]

11 hours ago, Shyheels said:

did you read Sir Chris Hoy's comment on men (most particularly middle-aged men) in Lycra in his interview with GQ?

No.

What were they?

I wear what I expect are a lycra first layer because they are practical, not because I feel the need to show off my little botty to anyone. Given the chance, I would wear lycra anything. (Tops, leggings...) Cost prohibits it, and possibly my age. But it's a wonderful material, stretching with your skin, providing a comfortable covering. I can see that overweight people may not look overly attractive in lycra, but if they are wearing lycra while riding a bike, seems to me they are at least attempting to get fitter?

Edited August 30, 2017 by FastFreddy2
Two spelling mistakes.

[Shyheels 183]

Here's his apology for the remarks, on today's BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-41092831

[FastFreddy2 282]

Great link, thank you.  

Another from the same site >> here << Pretty much where I am I suppose, though 35 years old, is a bit young for a mid-life crisis. I would suggest 40+ as a starting place, and my own didn't really kick in until well into my 50's. For me, it was the realisation I won't live forever. Didn't produce a "crisis" as such, but it did help me spend a little bit of money I might not have spent otherwise.

None of my 'shiny' leggings are made of lycra, but I do plan to wear some shiny ones - at some time. I'm fairly certain the material will be an effective wind barrier, and I don't like the cold ....

 

Edited August 30, 2017 by FastFreddy2

[Shyheels 183]

Not really experienced any sort of "crisis" but certainly a sense of the passage of time, and if there was any regret about lost youth it was ameliorated by the mature wisdom of not caring so much about what others think, and being more comfortable in my (ageing) self.

[Puffer 258]

2 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Not really experienced any sort of "crisis" but certainly a sense of the passage of time, and if there was any regret about lost youth it was ameliorated by the mature wisdom of not caring so much about what others think, and being more comfortable in my (ageing) self.

I couldn't put it better myself, Shyheels - although not for want of trying!   

I'm thinking that lost youth is perhaps less important than lost opportunity - my aim is now to make a little hay whilst the sun still casts an occasional rosy glow before it sets.  

[Shyheels 183]

Yes, lost opportunity is much more regrettable than lost youth - which is inevitable anyway. Lost opportunity though does offer second chances if we are clever enough to see them, and bold enough to act

[FastFreddy2 282]

Time for another thread? "Philosophical treatise" or something along that line?

Here's a couple of things that have proven noteworthy to me:

"Don't live your life like it's this long '....................................................' because it's only this long '.......' "

"You tend to regret the things you don't do, not the things you do." 

"Nothing worth having comes easy." Love, money, peace of mind.

 

The groundbreaking events that helped me mature my outlook:

1. Around 35 (ish) I was told by my peers on a 2 year management course - while on a residential weekend - it was okay to be me. (Still took me years to do it, but I had the encouragement to let myself 'out' - as it were.)

2. A couple of years later, I learned to be compassionate, an achievement born from a particular relationship after Item 1 started taking effect.

3. While working for someone with absolutely no business sense what-so-ever, not only did I nearly turn his business around, when it finally went to the wall I did make a success out of it. More, I learned that owning a business wasn't beyond me (though hard work) but I didn't need to be an employee any longer than I wanted to be.

 

I have read a witticism somewhere (probably on a birthday card) where: being young is 'learning something new everyday' and being old is 'forgetting more than you learn everyday'. I fear I have reached that stage, but I enjoy learning new things more now, than I ever have. Given the opportunity, (being young enough to be back at school) I would like to 'suck up' every ounce of knowledge I had been offered in my youth. I've never been reluctant to learn, (7 years in total of evening classes should tell that) but I've now a thirst for knowledge unlike any itime before. 

Regrets: Not making the time to write the 10,000 dissertation (on the second year of a course that was paid for) that would have had me with "MSc" after my name. 

 

[FastFreddy2 282]

On 13/08/2017 at 1:24 PM, FastFreddy2 said:

 

But for the (slightly weird) choker, I might not have bothered. The link below automatically brings up a video with her being interviewed on a TV show, again wearing a choker, so maybe she has a thing for them. (As I do.)

Full article >> here << 

 

That choker is sure popular.

 

 

This is still image taken from  Taylor Swift video >> here << that already had at the time of writing, 124 million views four days after its release.  

 

It has taken U2, almost 18 years to amass 248 million views of their video "With or without you". Not only has it taken 18 years, this song was/is heavily promoted by an episode of Friends (Rachel and Ross breakup), which is a series still syndicated around the world.

 

If Taylor Swift has monetised that video (why wouldn't she or her record label) it will pay for itself quite quickly from You Tube revenues alone, and act as a publicity machine for her new album. If the revenue stream has been maximised (I'm sure it has) the returns over the life of that one video, could produce more gross income than I've managed through my whole working life.

 

Nearly missed it, but her 8 MALE dance group ..... 

 

 

Wearing heels ...... 

 

And to keep this post 'on thread' .....

 

[Shyheels 183]

Yes, she has certainly mastered the art of monetising her social media profile - as well as having the good fortune to come along at a point in human history where such things are possible. A perfect storm, in her case.

Taylor Swift strikes me as someone who could wear PVC and make it look wonderfully classy and chic, but this outfit and look isn't it. She looked like she has half of a wetsuit on and is getting rewards to go diving, or has just surfaced and climbed back onto the boat. Nothing chic about that. A pity, because as I say, she is someone who could make the look ooze class.

[Puffer 258]

9 hours ago, FastFreddy2 said:

...

I have read a witticism somewhere (probably on a birthday card) where: being young is 'learning something new everyday' and being old is 'forgetting more than you learn everyday'. I fear I have reached that stage, but I enjoy learning new things more now, than I ever have. Given the opportunity, (being young enough to be back at school) I would like to 'suck up' every ounce of knowledge I had been offered in my youth. I've never been reluctant to learn, (7 years in total of evening classes should tell that) but I've now a thirst for knowledge unlike any time before. 

...

The quoted witticism is a realistic statement of life but equally, as you imply, provides a prompt to defeating the decline that comes with increasing age.   Like you, I have a wish to improve my overall knowledge, in both breadth and depth, and try to explore and retain new information every day.   Whether I succeed or not is probably not for me to say - if I was really getting doddery, I would likely not notice any degeneration in my memory.   But I do find that short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be ...

Now, where was I?   Oh yes - I am not just aiming to improve my life by steadily increasing my sphere of knowledge.   I have always felt that a day without making or fixing something tangible is a day wasted.   A day's enforced idleness (e.g. during illness, a holiday or some business or personal engagement) is somewhat frustrating when my tools etc lie unused.   Others may feel similarly when deprived of some sporting or artistic outlet.

[Shyheels 183]

Indeed! I need exercise - cycling - and some creative outlet for words or images. Imperative.

[FastFreddy2 282]

 

Not a great picture, but she's slim and those trousers show it. 

 

 

Stella Maxwell. Full article >> here << (Not really worth looking.)

[Shyheels 183]

Don't know who she is, although she certainly is slender and can wear PVC trousers to nice effect - although the overall effect would be classier without the bare midriff. 

I am impressed that you keep finding these pictures. Obviously there is a glamorous world out there that I just keep missing

Edited September 6, 2017 by Shyheels

[FastFreddy2 282]

Someone with a few more years under her belt .... Good look. 

 

[Shyheels 183]

Indeed, a very classy look. Again, my knowledge of pop culture being what it is, I have no idea who she is, but she certainly looks nice.

[FastFreddy2 282]

5 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I have no idea who she is, but she certainly looks nice.

Me neither, until I looked. (I hadn't read the article.)

She is the new head judge on Strictly Come Dancing. 

[Shyheels 183]

Well that is nice! Much easier in the eye than Len Goodman

[Puffer 258]

2 hours ago, FastFreddy2 said:

Me neither, until I looked. (I hadn't read the article.)

She is the new head judge on Strictly Come Dancing. 

 

1 hour ago, Shyheels said:

Well that is nice! Much easier in the eye than Len Goodman

Shirley was on the One Show this evening (along with the great Neil Sedaka - always a pleasure to listen to, speaking or singing).   Shirley looked attractive (and was wearing some fancy-patterned stiletto courts), was clearly knowledgeable and skilled as a dancer and sounded very pleasant.   Much easier on the eye and ear than old 'barrowboy' Len, whose arrogance has grown significantly over the years.   I am no great fan of the programme - although a ballroom dancer, it is far too gimmicky for my taste - but shall be interested to see how Shirley & Co make out.

[FastFreddy2 282]

35 minutes ago, Puffer said:

 

Shirley was on the One Show this evening (along with the great Neil Sedaka - always a pleasure to listen to, speaking or singing).   Shirley looked attractive (and was wearing some fancy-patterned stiletto courts), was clearly knowledgeable and skilled as a dancer and sounded very pleasant.   Much easier on the eye and ear than old 'barrowboy' Len, whose arrogance has grown significantly over the years.   I am no great fan of the programme - although a ballroom dancer, it is far too gimmicky for my taste - but shall be interested to see how Shirley & Co make out.

 

I think there is something "people" need to remember about S.C.D.

It isn't a talent show with well-trained dancers displaying their expertise, gained over years and years of hard work. It's an entertainment programme for celebrity fans, created from the ashes of a defunct ballroom dancing programme that failed to draw an audience any longer.

Len made good TV. So good, he was employed in the UK, and in the US where he would have been all but unknown. It may be his US TV persona bled into the UK one, but he did at least seem fair to me. I'm not convinced two women on the judges panel is going to work, any better than having two women for the presentation team works.  Anton du Beke should be on the presentation team (in place of Bruce or the talking mannequin who is Tess Daly), or HE should have been given the job of Head Judge. He's witty, can think on his feet (as can Claudia) and is a gentleman.

We'll find out if the new team works, soon enough.  

[Shyheels 183]

I agree. 

Although towards the end of his tenure, Len was getting very full of himself 

[FastFreddy2 282]

Bella, continuing her route to somewhere "off the rails" ....

 

 

From the same article....

 

 

Full article >> here << 

 

Bit of a side note .... It has become 'trendy' for some young female models to have a nipple pierced. I assume they only get the one done, because it's not a pain-free procedure. Not only has Bella had both hers done, but there is an intimation in one of the photo's, that Bella has both hers done twice.     

[Puffer 258]

I accept that 'Strictly' is essentially entertainment for the masses.   Its largely Z-list contestants, quirky costumes and scenarios and often dubious dance routines and out-of-tempo music do not allow it to represent any ballroom or latin dancing consistently and accurately.   For those reasons, I find much of it irritating.   I respect Len Goodman's knowledge and skill as a ballroom dancer and competent judge; he did his best, usually fairly if justifiably firmly, to maintain 'strict' dance standards on the show - as I believe Shirley will be fully capable of doing too (but we shall see...).   My problem with Len was his increasingly big-headed attitude and smarmy behaviour - a view shared by every one of the several people I know who are Strictly adherents.   He retired not before time.