Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Congratulations! - really pleased for you.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Wow - well done. :cleader:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Cheers, I'm still stunned that they decided to put me in the final squad. Only been to two training sessions. But it's 7 asides with 7 subs that are in a rolling format. 40 minutes games too as everyone on the teams have a transplant of an organ.

Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Spain and Italy are all taking part to. Taking place at Radley College and organised by Transplant Active.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Well done and good luck.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Just took on a Pixel 9 Pro XL on a contract deal 24 months £29.99 which comes out as over £170 less than the phone is to buy outright on Googles deal at present

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Great phone, I'm really happy with mine, I pay £42 a month with ID mobile but got a Pixel Watch 2 with mine.

Did you get any Topcashback?

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

I went through it but it is a uswitch deal so unlikely to track. This is with iD only £9 up front too

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Is this for the 128GB one because carphonewarehouse have it for £29.99 a month with £9 upfront? The reason I'm asking is you could then get £40 Topcashback too.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

yeah I done all that and went through TCB but it is a deal so they may not give the cashback. Its all logged anyway

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Fingers crossed for you mate.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Welcome to the Pixel family :D I love mine. Because it's pure and manufactured android, updates are frequent which gives the whole user experience that feeling of being valued as a user.

The device doesn't heat up too while browsing and tethering at the same time :tu:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Have to agree - my last 3 phones were OnePlus (which I really liked), but I find my Pixel 8 Pro a better user experience (and as you state, more frequent/timely updates - that was an issue I had with the OnePlus, that the OS and Security updates were tardy, and the older your phone, the tardier they were in supplying them).

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Ive had the 6 the 7 pro and currently the 8 pro and before all that the old Nexus 4 and 5 remember when LG made the google phones hahaha

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

I'm talking to myself then. It's my first Pixel :o:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

No fair play I am glad you like it :-) First phone I used with Stock Android was the HTC HD2 which was a windows phone. Android with some mods could dual boot off a micro SD card. Later on they got it on the nand. Really enjoyed phones back then haha

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

I found Xiaomi smartphones the easiest to load third party ROMs.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Spring is coming (tomorrow morning).
With it comes two days of warm sunshine. :Sun:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

The new kitchen is finally nearing completion another couple of weeks left to go

Wow congrats buddy!!!

I know you will make your country proud :)

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

I saw lamb on the hills as I was going to Brighton today. Aw little baby taking naps on the field. It warmed up as the day went on not as warm as yesterday though. Still a lovely day out in Brighton.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

While the Scotland Transplant Football team has been getting a lot of pressure and media coverage its mostly been small stuff like Glasgow Live and STV news online and BBC Alba. There was a double spread in the Sun about two weeks back.

This week in the build up to the Euros Sky Sports News has got in touch and want to come and film a piece with us next week!

How amazing is that! Also when you Google the team name now you get so many links and stories pop up including the teams replica kit website. It certainly is looking bright for us. Hopefully may lead to more sponsorship and coverage.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Mother's day, visits by 2 sons with bouquets of flowers, card and phone call from daughter. Now awaiting delivery of Chinese meal, King prawn in batter with sweet and sour sauce, beef curry with rice, and kitchen speceial with soft noodles in oyster sauce. Yummmy :):):):):):):):)

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Super excited for the Transplant Football European Championship this week, 2-5 April. Team Scotland are going to smash it.

Also the exposure we are getting is brilliant. All we want to do is raise awareness of organ donation and how great receiving an organ is and the difference to life it has.

We have our video featured on Sky Sports News and their socials today.

https://x.com/SkySportsNews/status/1...174091254?s=19

Absolutely amazing, I'm in the video but they didn't use my interview sadly.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

My niece is to to fly home from Miami at 10pm UK time, and shes only flying on the A380

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

I travelled to London yesterday to see my mum. I didn't stay long. I was home by 7:30pm. I loved the train ride as always. Today I'm off to Brighton to see my aunty and attend a birthday party. Pinatas and all for the miniatures :LOL:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

So proud and happy over Scotland Transplant Active in the Transplant Euros.

Our first major tournament against some of the best teams in the world. Some tough games but we beat Ireland, drew with Spain, lost to Italy and Wales. This morning we take on England.

We have done our Country, families and most of all our donors proud.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

My daughter flew in from Poland at 5.30am today, she spent a few days there with her housemates for one last blow-out before locking down for her finals which come up in the next 4 to 6 weeks.

All the better for the fact she did not respond to me ONCE when she was out there (other than to tell me the plane had landed over there) so I had no way of knowing she hadn’t been drugged, kidnapped etc….thank the Lord for Find My, and I could monitor her movements around the city she was visiting. I figured it would be unlikely a kidnapper etc would be visiting museums, cathedrals, bars, restaurants etc so that reassured me she was ok.

So it was great to get that text when I woke up to say the plane had just touched down.

But….kids! Even the almost 22 year old ones….

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

That worry Russ is for the rest of your life bud

Glad she is home safe

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Out walking today in a world of my mind and did some math. I have lost over 880000 calories worth of body fat. Crazy numbers

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

On Thursday the 3rd April, I did an assessment for a job.


Well I passed and on Monday I started my first job since July 2020. It's a steep learning curve, and I have to work Bank Holidays.


But it's also tiring as I get back into the flow.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Congratulations hope it works out for you,at the end of the day it's money in the bank.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Congratulations

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Fabulous news.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Well done Hom3r :tu:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Fantastic news Hom3r. I hope this first week goes well. Fingers crossed that you will survive travelling up the learning curve. You deserve this. xx

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Used to tell the rugrats to look out for lambs on crutches :shocked:

---------- Post added at 14:07 ---------- Previous post was at 14:02 ----------

So get this. I (we) ended up back in Wales because of favourite granddaughter wanted go to Oxford. My son wouldn't cover the cost as she had no-one close . Guess southern France didn't count :erm:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Did you ever take them to a farm? I always remember my farm trips :D Hot ribena on cold days.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Have you seen the farms in US :dozey: Whenever we're in UK it was trips to the valleys, to see wife's family, they liked seeing some, lots of ice cream others greasy chips/ pies etc don't go down with rug rats :(

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Nope. I've only seen USA farms from afar meaning on a tele of some sort. Your profile says Cardiff :o::confused:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Correct, my avatar says Lousiana, stuck in Cardiff as we came back to let's her go to uni . Wife born here as was my mum . Dad in States over here during the war ( 2nd world) . Moved back and fore ever since. Family (dad) and family business's are there ,as are brothers and sisters etc. They have very little connection with here. To make clear . GD is American/French, (her mother ) wife is 1 generation British, parents Italian, so a real group mixed stock :rolleyes:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Fascinating walks of lifes :D nice read. I'm generally oblivious to it all so it makes a change taking a moment to appreciate others :tu:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Today is the 50th Anniversary of my appearance on TISWAS. :D

[ As the winner of a weekly competition called Tricky Test Time ].

Oddly enough, it was also a Saturday.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Back in Brighton now yesterday. Sun was out. A little chilly but in the sun it was nice. Just happy to be out and about to be honest. Brightons not a bad place to spend some of your time. I have the added advantage of being on the seafront minutes away from town. Lovely.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Next week is week four, I'm really getting along with the people I work with, and feels like it's been longer.


The only downside is that I work Bank Holidays, the first time ever.

Wow good for you mate!

I hope ya had a good time :)

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

Did your waist decrease loosing all your excess weight or did your bone structure mean it remained the same ? Chest as well did you see any change?

Re: The Happy Thought Thread Part 4
 

waist is down to 36 inches . Chest is fine but my skin hangs and I hate it but it is better than being 31 stone that is for sure . Bone structure the same I maintained my could I actually have good abdominals no pop out you see from relaxed muscles it is just covered with the last layer of fat and saggy skin

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Travelling by train to and from London to see my mum. The train ride was sensible. A couple of excited travellers but nothing antisocial :D

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Travelling by train to and from Brighton to see my aunty and cousins. Trains were scarce but I managed to get a connection train due to delays on that second leg of the journey. Nothing antisocial :D it's quiet considering Brighton are playing :shrug: anywho it's my birthday Tuesday so I brought a cake from a cake shop. Fresh fruit vanilla cream sponge cake. My aunty got a air fryer, one like mine but a versazone, a bigger draw/basket with an optional divider. We were going to go bowling but one of my cousins isn't feeling well and it's either everyone goes bowling or nothing. I'm not having someone missing out.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Watching "Star.Wars.Tales.of.the.Underworld" atm.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

My previous hamster died nearly 2 weeks ago and on Friday I adopted a male Syrian.


I think the previous own might have a been a kid that was bitten, he's just starting to take some food from me, and I think bath training will be easier and soon holding him.


He was called "Tofu", but I called him "Dax".

Im sorry your other one died buddy :(

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

PB walk time today. Walked 8 miles in 2 hrs 4 mins which included 2 stops into shops in town so would have been under 2hrs

Wow 8 Miles is a good way Jay :)

I bet you were tired mate!

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Not even close. I went on and did another 4 miles in the afternoon haha

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

After a Hospital pre-assessment visit this morning, I popped into the Tesco Superstore near(ish)-by - was pleasantly surprised when they held a two minute silence at noon.

Second pleasant surprise was getting 10% discount on my shopping, which they are giving serving Military and Veterans 8th-11th May.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Trolley full of wine?

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Unfortunately not - off the booze for a week before the op (May 12th), then for four weeks after due to alcohol and pain-killers being a sub-optimal mixture.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

no alcohol for me these days it's all 0% beer

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

tbf, they have much improved since the days of Kaliber...

Guinness 0% is quite palatable, as is Peroni 0.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Started Ozempic with my first jab last week and although I’ve always gone on tape measurements of muscle groups and more specifically my waist but already dropped 6lb and my appetite has noticeably decreased. Still ensuring 1 or 2 chicken breasts a day but relying more on protein shakes through the day on top. No muscle mass loss either so early days yet but quietly impressed.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Do you get that via a GP prescription?

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Private GP consultation.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

first 10 mile walk of 2025 done and dusted maintained and 15 minute 30 second per mile pace which I am happy with

Very good my friend :)

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Walked over 12 miles today 16 1/2 minute mile pace not bad over 3 hours walking

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Wonderful Jay, keep up the good work.


Got back from hospital yesterday after 10 days, apparently I have 5 fractured vertibrae, doctor says my back is a mess, can't operate. Also having to cope with asthma and COPD. But still here to tell the tale. ;)

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

sorry you are going through this

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Coming up next a reporttettey, about a extra crystal meth and service station inna momba.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

????

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

I was being humorous, or at least I found it funny..

WARNING, has swearing
Skip to 05:04


:LOL:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Got my 19 stone award today but a tantalising 1lb still to go to target hahaha

---------- Post added at 18:52 ---------- Previous post was at 17:44 ----------

it has just dawned on me I have lost over 1 1/2 me

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

I can only dream of such progress. I'd love to half my weight which would be 1 of me. Scary how you point that out. Why carry an extra you, it's weird. :nutter:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Effort X Time = Results

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

New boiler has finished being installed over the last 3 days along with TRV radiator valves and a Hive smart thermostat, really happy to get the house back and the downstairs doesn't look like a bomb site any longer!

I gave the radiators a quick test and they get hot so quickly compared to my old 28yr old boiler so another plus, hopefully I will see a change to my monthly bills but it'll be hard to guage.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

You probably wont really see any difference until next winter.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Made target total weight loss 19 st 2.5lb now sat at 11st 13lb not been this weight since I was about 16 (estimate as I was a big youth)

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Can you see your little friend now?

Travelling in and out of London today. The train was full on the way back, I mean cannot turn left or right forward backwards it was a tight squeeze thankfully I took a seat and departed early to get on a different train less crowded. If everything was perfect we wouldn't have choices in life.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

4 day weekend for me, really looking forward to it after a week of getting up at 5.30am for work.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

I don't know if this should be in the happy thought thread or what, but this morning I accidentally took an extra half-scoop of pre-workout before the gym, and I swear I turned into Cornholio. Mrs Russ was pissing herself laughing at me and I ended up having an interesting chat on Facebook with Graham about it.

Powerful stuff that warrior rage pre-workout.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Whips and chains Graham :tiptoe:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Oh JAYSUS no not him

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

2 slices of toast with peach jam -unleashes my inner pensioner

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

:rofl: shame

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

That "Graham" has not been here for 20 years. His site is still operational though.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Did you get anything nice :D

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

:shocked: :)

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

l prefer the old mixed fruit variety.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Just spent three hours on a WhatsApp chat line with an airline...

What's "happy" about that, I hear you ask?

Well...

We were supposed to fly out to Thessaloniki on the 17th June with two friends, to visit their house in Portaria, The Pelion, Greece.

I had full knee replacement surgery May 12th (flights were booked before I knew I was having surgery), and the surgeon said before the op it depended how quickly I recovered, the length of the flight, etc. if I should fly or not. We saw him yesterday (after seeing the physio) for a post-op check-up, and he said whilst I was making a good recovery, he wouldn't recommend going on a four hour flight followed by a two and half hour car journey at this stage in my recovery (physio said the same).

I thought we would just have to write off the flight costs (unlikely the travel insurance would cover it, as they would count the surgery as "elective", therefore my choice about having it (not taking into account the exruciating ongoing pain I was in from the knee)), and the airline's T&Cs state whilst you can change your flight dates, or names on the tickets, anything else is a cancellation, so you lose the money and claim against insurance (or not, as explained above).

So, I thought "what the hell", let's try with the airline - like most businesses now, it's either a chatbot or WhatsApp; got on to the WhatsApp, explained my situation, highlighted the fact I was a long-standing loyalty club member, and that I've bought over 100 return airline tickets with them in the last 20 years (me and family members), so was there anything they could do, for example, change the tickets for tickets to Cyprus in September/October...

As I said at the beginning, it took nearly three hours, but in the end I spent £250 in admin fees and flight price difference, but saved losing nearly £1k for the original tickets - sometimes, you just have to have patience.

Im glad things were in your favour Hugh :)

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Nice one Hugh :tu:

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Just discovered the comedian Matt Rife.

Best way to describe him would be an American “influencer” crossed with Jimmy Carr.

No, I know that makes him sound very avoidable but he’s so damn funny.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

He is not quite an extreme as Jimmy but I think he is funnier tbh. Have you seen the one where the MILF in the audiences breasts squeak hahahahaaaaa

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

I just made my bed, fluffed everything up and my god is it comfy :D

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

It sounds like it's the first time you have done it in months, don't you make it every day, it only takes 30 seconds?

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

I do my bed everyday. I don't however shake everything down everyday. My bedsheet was hanging onto my topper.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Left Leeds for the final time today. I cannot effing stand the city, or at least the road layout around the centre.

My daughter had been going to uni there since 2021, and although her finals were a few weeks ago, her tenancy ran up to today, so they all made sure they got their money's worth.

I'm amazed at how much she's changed as a person in those 4 years, she's always made me proud, but who she has now become got me quite emotional as we talked during the 6-hour drive home (I def won't miss the travelling for the end/beginning of semesters).

Up until uni, she'd never really left the small South Wales industrial village she's grown up in (other than for holidays etc), so I knew the transition into big city life would have an effect, but she's such a different person now.

In those 4 years she's managed to lose 5 stone through Slimmer's World (for about 5 years before she started uni her mother was a delivery driver for a Chinese takeaway so her diet was never the best), which was awesome, but she's now going to be joining me at the gym.

So all in all, a very tiring but emotional and proud day.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

I feel so proud of you both. Over the years I have known you (albeit in our virtual world) so many things have happened. Your daughter is a credit to you and I am not surprised, with you as her father, at how she has changed into the young woman she is today.

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

in 2 weeks I have travelled over 500 miles just under leg power. 480 miles cycling and well over 20 miles walking. Pretty pleased with that tbh

Re: The Happy Thought Thread
 

Impressive id give up after a mile.