Happy Me Thread

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Nick

Yes, and my comment was indeed a slight dig at your pro-Brexit stance, but with a serious undertone.
Once the UK has left the EU, there may be a distinct rise in unpleasant bureaucracy for British people wanting to live in Europe, and possibly complex taxation issues too.
Even under English law, you will need to determine whether you are still "ordinarily resident" in the UK while resident in Spain.
And the practical situation on those islands may be somewhat different from what they are told to do by Madrid as well.

Sure. We recognize that. Like death and taxes, bureaucracy is inevitable.

We have no intention of renouncing UK residency status. It's quite difficult to do so, from what I understand from Brits who have tried to flee British taxation. Spain taxes overseas income (as do most countries) but Spain and the UK have a mutual no double taxation agreement, entirely in line with the arrangement that I live with regarding my MSFT stock I hold in the US. Yes there's bureaucracy in that I have to complete one form per annum, and I expect the same to be true with the Spanish system. A meeting with my accountant this afternoon confirmed my prejudices: I can continue to conduct business through my UK company regardless of where I live. That's the present situation anyway and, as before, I think it exceedingly unlikely the Spanish government will want to antagonize non-EU registered companies post-Brexit.

[VictordeHolland]

Yesterday I visited Space Expo and ESTEC (European Space Research and Technology Centre). In Space Expo there was a nice exposition of 100 objects that have been in space (mainly astronauts gear, socks, flags, etc.)

After passing a security check and getting a visitor pass we got a tour of the ESTEC site. The tour was guided by a enthausiastic woman born in Georgia (country) who despite her background was fluent in Dutch.

I had secretly hoped we could also visit some of the labs, but those are off-limit to visitors (as expected).

[Nick]

Originally Posted by VictordeHolland

Yesterday I visited Space Expo and ESTEC (European Space Research and Technology Centre).

Yes, it's good fun seeing how everything gets tested there before it is put into space.

[kladner]

I just ordered my first smart phone. Samsung Galaxy S8, on Consumer Cellular, a reseller of service. They are top rated in Consumer Reports and PC Mag. They also had a better deal on the phone. Unlimited text and voice, 3GB download, with usage alerts, and auto upgrade if you run over, which would add $10, and jump from 3 to 5GB in my case.

It should prove very useful on my job for camera, texting, and "assistant" features such as setting reminders via voice.

[retina]

Originally Posted by kladner

I just ordered my first smart phone. Samsung Galaxy S8, ...

My commiserations on your acquisition of the tracking and spying device.

Originally Posted by kladner

... on Consumer Cellular, a reseller of service. They are top rated in Consumer Reports and PC Mag. They also had a better deal on the phone. Unlimited text and voice, 3GB download, with usage alerts, and auto upgrade if you run over, which would add $10, and jump from 3 to 5GB in my case.

Double commiserations on having your pocket computer controlled remotely by a telephone operator.

[kladner]

Originally Posted by retina

My commiserations on your acquisition of the tracking and spying device.Double commiserations on having your pocket computer controlled remotely by a telephone operator.

Your commiserations gratefully accepted. I have all those reservations, but I have been sucked into the Maw of Sauron.
Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here

[pepi37]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiNoRzifpuk&feature=youtu.be

Perfect day in nature!

[kladner]

I am happy that we finally have warm enough weather that I am throttling back both GPUs and the CPU. Power consumption down 50 W. GTX1060 at 85% power, CPU back at stock, with a V_core drop.
EDIT: It's been a chilly spring this close to Lake Michigan (~1 mile.) Seeing, and feeling mid-70s is a treat. That feeling may wear off, in a bit.

[Dubslow]

For much the same reasons, I rather wish that the outside temperature would stay below 70F.

Still, I suppose it's better than snow in April.

[xilman]

I noted a while back that we are trying to buy land, a house and an observatory. The deposit has now been paid and sundry financial institutions are extracting their digits (some very slowly and some are re-inserting them in other orifices) and converting our investments into cash. As far as we can tell, we should have no real worries about completing the transaction by the end of June.

My company, which will handle our astronomical activities, has been revived. Lloyds Bank is an example of delayed digital permutation procedures. They booked an appointment three weeks ago. A week later they contacted me to say that their employee wasn't licensed to deal with our requirement. Yesterday we had a meeting with a qualified person and were assured that all will be completed in two weeks or so. We will see.

Hofstadter's Law applies with a vengeance. Hmm, perhaps this post ought to be in the Unhappy Me thread.

[wombatman]

That is absolutely gorgeous, and I am suitably jealous. Hope everything comes through without issue!