HellsBells's recent activity
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Comment on What are some ideas for what can or should be done to facilitate kids’ independence and social life? in ~life
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Comment on The San Francisco cable car's (not quite as famous) Welsh cousin in ~transport
HellsBells LinkI know Llandudno very well and I had no idea that the local 'tin pot' tram was actually so rare. When the trams pass each other everyone is encouraged to cheer. I know a family that lived opposite...I know Llandudno very well and I had no idea that the local 'tin pot' tram was actually so rare. When the trams pass each other everyone is encouraged to cheer.
I know a family that lived opposite that cross point and it happened so often, with such regularity, that they just didn't hear it anymore - including the rather loud 'clunk, clunk' during the swap. Anyone visiting their home was always suprised by something the family didn't even notice.
I've never actually been on the tram and I can't think why. I always walked or drove up. One of the local past times of summer holiday children was watching tourists, from obviously flat locations, trying to drive up the Orme. It was a regular occurance for a local to jump in and save their burning clutch, to take the visitors past the steepest part.
As can be seen in the video, it can feel a bit wild on a windy and wet day. But, it's a beautiful location with amazing views at the top and generally a lovely place for a walk. Just watch out for the (sheep) poo!
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Comment on Why did you select your username for Tildes? in ~tildes
HellsBells LinkI don't use the same name across platforms. This time I decided it was AC/DCs turn to inspire and it's one of my favourite tracks.I don't use the same name across platforms. This time I decided it was AC/DCs turn to inspire and it's one of my favourite tracks.
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Comment on IAMA 3rd year Ph.D. student researching the cell biology of the Rice Blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, and preparing for my candidacy qualifying exam. AMA. in ~talk
HellsBells LinkWhat led you to choosing this for your research? And, it seems, the interest in fungi generally?What led you to choosing this for your research? And, it seems, the interest in fungi generally?
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Comment on How do I figure out what it is I want to do with my career? in ~life
HellsBells Link ParentI also recomment 'What Colour is Your Parachute'. It was given to me in my early 30s and I found it very useful. I was able to transition into my preferred job (business analyst) a couple of years...I also recomment 'What Colour is Your Parachute'.
It was given to me in my early 30s and I found it very useful. I was able to transition into my preferred job (business analyst) a couple of years later. I knew what I wanted to do (as, it turns out, I was partially already there with my job at that time), but I didn't know how to articulate it or even if was a 'real' job.
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Comment on Share your stories thread in ~travel
HellsBells Link ParentThat sounds like a great perk. I had flown in to the US in business class and was returning the same way. The local 'international' airport wouldn't allow 2 bags, so I ended up wearing a lot of...That sounds like a great perk. I had flown in to the US in business class and was returning the same way.
The local 'international' airport wouldn't allow 2 bags, so I ended up wearing a lot of clothes and my coat so that I could stuff one bag into the other. It was a very hot day and rather unpleasant journey.
At the gate, they were adamant that I wasn't boarding with 2 bags - no ifs or buts. I was told that it didn't matter that I had business class tickets. If I couldn't demonstrate that I was boarding with only 1 bag it was either leave one behind, or no boarding.
I don't understand how I was allowed to arrive with 2 carry on bags, but only leave with 1! It makes absolutely no sense.
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Comment on Share your stories thread in ~travel
HellsBells LinkHoping work travel counts here for the tips. Feel free to label 'Offtopic' if not. Although I do a lot of these for personal travel too. I always travel with a backpack for my laptop and have the...Hoping work travel counts here for the tips. Feel free to label 'Offtopic' if not. Although I do a lot of these for personal travel too. I always travel with a backpack for my laptop and have the following in my carry-on:
- Every electrical item that I'm travelling with - none of them go in the hold
- A couple of pairs of clean underwear (and socks if needed)
- Small washkit
- Clean, plain t-shirt that can be worn to the office if luggage has gone missing. Two if they're light and pack small
- I always travel in comfortable trousers/jeans that are also office appropriate if necessary
If travelling only for a couple of days then I make sure that everything I needs packs into a small overnight bag that I can take on the plane. In the EU you can have one bag and a laptop bag. I know this is different in the US (learned the hard way).
A lot of hotels provide free slippers, or if you're lucky enough to be in business or first class, you also get free slippers. I scoop those babies up and always have a pair in my luggage. I hate walking around in socks or bare feet in a hotel. They're light enough so that I can always include a pair.
I also take the washkit if I get one. The small toothpaste tubes, tissues etc are great travel items for a short trip. The washkit bags are also a favourite with nieces and nephews - I've had some really good ones. Also great for cables, jewellery etc.
I pack as light as possible and bring only what's needed - with the exception of a good book. That's a must!
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Comment on How do you stay motivated in work? in ~life
HellsBells Link ParentI'd like to add to this recommendation for a change. I work in an IT department in a multi national, so the team are busy with the solutions for the company - not to sell to others. Is it perfect?...I'd like to add to this recommendation for a change. I work in an IT department in a multi national, so the team are busy with the solutions for the company - not to sell to others.
Is it perfect? No.
Is it stressful sometimes? Yes.
Do our dev team take pride in what they build and deliver? Absolutely.
Do really strange and interesting bugs appear out of knowhere? Frequently!
Do we bring in new solutions where there's a learning curve and a bit of 'trial and error'? Sometimes.
Do the devs collaborate? They absolutely need to.Maybe switching the focus to an internal position like this can bring a fresh outlook, and it's very different than being in a software company that's selling solutions.
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Comment on Any tips for buying clothes that fit? in ~life.style
HellsBells (edited )LinkI hate shopping for clothes with a burning passion. None of the 'off the rack' stuff in the chain stores fits me properly. I really should look at more tailored clothing and pay a bit more to look...I hate shopping for clothes with a burning passion. None of the 'off the rack' stuff in the chain stores fits me properly. I really should look at more tailored clothing and pay a bit more to look a lot better 😂.
However, the working class in me is horrified by the thought, and the (now) middle class lifestyle in me hates everything in my wardrobe. If I could just wear binbags with two armholes it would make me eternally happy.
Forgot to add the tip! Go for tailored clothing. It's like an episode from The Simpsons;
Karl: No no no. Stand naturally, Mr. Simpson. Let it all hang out. {to the tailor} You! Conceal it.
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Comment on Hello fellow women in ~life.women
HellsBells LinkI also never wanted kids, and still to this day don't regret the choice (50s). I remember asking my husband in my late 30s and again in my early 40s if he was really sure about no kids because the...I also never wanted kids, and still to this day don't regret the choice (50s). I remember asking my husband in my late 30s and again in my early 40s if he was really sure about no kids because the window was closing. Thankfully (my God, I was so grateful) it was an emphatic 'Yes' for child free. I never wanted to be a parent, but I would have probably had one if he was really, really sure about it.
Being pregnant always scared the bejesus out of me, but I would have gone through the 'one and done' if needed. However, relfecting now, I would have been a strict parent and wouldn't have made the best role model. Too much baggage from my own childhood. I'm glad we never had the one.
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Comment on What are industries and specialties where you see demand for employees? in ~talk
HellsBells LinkWhat strikes me in this discussion is the amount of areas that are struggling with demand. I work in IT in the EU and I had no idea that the problem was so widespread. I really thought it was...What strikes me in this discussion is the amount of areas that are struggling with demand. I work in IT in the EU and I had no idea that the problem was so widespread. I really thought it was quite an 'IT' specific problem.
We have real issues filling positions and I'm finding myself wondering what it's going to take to attract people to fill the open roles. Money isn't everything to everyone (even though we're competitive on salary) and we try and promote our committment to home/work life balance, hybrid working (home/office), flexibility when life bites you (as it has all of us at some point). Yet, some of our roles are open for 1.5 years before being filled.
We're in a 'buyers' market' at the moment, so people can more or less pick and choose. But, the company I work for is very good and we have a great team. I honestly don't know how to attract people to apply. I'm not a recruiting expert and I really need to fill some positions to take the pressure and workload off our team - I'm very concerned.
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Comment on What are industries and specialties where you see demand for employees? in ~talk
HellsBells Link ParentHere in the EU so many graduates are listing Data Engineering/science/AI/ML in their role requirements after Uni/College. I'm having trouble finding people who don't want to work in data analytics...Here in the EU so many graduates are listing Data Engineering/science/AI/ML in their role requirements after Uni/College. I'm having trouble finding people who don't want to work in data analytics - it's a very strange period in the timeline for my GenX brain 🙂.
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Comment on How to get rid of wasps? in ~hobbies
HellsBells LinkStrangely enough I saw this about 15 mins ago on the other site: https://old.reddit.com/r/TikTokCringe/comments/14sbvk3/how_to_get_rid_of_wasps/ If they're not too high up, seems a more straight...Strangely enough I saw this about 15 mins ago on the other site:
https://old.reddit.com/r/TikTokCringe/comments/14sbvk3/how_to_get_rid_of_wasps/
If they're not too high up, seems a more straight forward way of dealing with them.
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Comment on Tour De France discussion thread in ~sports
HellsBells LinkI'm not sure where you are but if you can get UK Eurosport the commentating combo of Carlton Kirby, Rob Hatch, Dan Lloyd & Matt Stephens is really good. Ex professional riders Sean Kelly, Robbie...I'm not sure where you are but if you can get UK Eurosport the commentating combo of Carlton Kirby, Rob Hatch, Dan Lloyd & Matt Stephens is really good. Ex professional riders Sean Kelly, Robbie McEwan and Adam Blythe also add their bits into the mix. The GCN+ team do a lot of little segments about the tech and the teams. If you want to get into cycling, GCN+ is an excellent place to start.
The Tour can be a bit dull some days when the stages are long and flat, and overall I'd say their coverage is excellent and they do a good job of bringing a lot of enthusiasm to the race and fun to the commentary. Jonathan Harris-Bass also has a recipe of the day segment and provides information about all the amazing buildings that you'll see during the race.
My husband watches every year so I'm an armchair enthusiast and know enough for a decent level coffee corner discussion in the office 🙂. I'm supporting the Jumbo team again because Wout Van Aert is riding for them. He's phenomenal and on great form.
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Comment on What weird food combo did you not realise was weird? in ~food
HellsBells Link ParentThat's what Yorkshire puddings are (savory dinner pancakes, but shaped differently) - the batter for the puddings and pancakes is the same. They're delicious and always a firm part of a Sunday...That's what Yorkshire puddings are (savory dinner pancakes, but shaped differently) - the batter for the puddings and pancakes is the same. They're delicious and always a firm part of a Sunday roast. They're also a great way to hold extra gravy on your plate!
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Comment on What weird food combo did you not realise was weird? in ~food
HellsBells Link ParentI also grew up eating cereal with warm milk in the winter. I thought it was pretty normal - all my family and friends also had it. A working class way to give you some warmth in a house without...I also grew up eating cereal with warm milk in the winter. I thought it was pretty normal - all my family and friends also had it. A working class way to give you some warmth in a house without central heating.
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Comment on Shopping for induction ranges in ~food
HellsBells LinkI don't have any specific experience with a combi range, but we put an induction hob into our house replacing an old ceramic unit from the 90s. The difference is night and day. The induction hob...I don't have any specific experience with a combi range, but we put an induction hob into our house replacing an old ceramic unit from the 90s. The difference is night and day.
The induction hob has a 'nuclear' mode that, when used, boils water so fast, you don't have time to do anything else other than get your drink ready. We don't have an electric kettle because the water boils faster on the hob.
We have turned down the wattage because the wiring in the kitching still needs to be upgraded - but induction is amazing when you get used to it. And, there is a learning curve. Nothing drastic but you have to adjust.
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Comment on Hidden pain, controlled bodies: Does ballet have to be like this? A recent explosion of revelations from ballet dancers confronts an art form afraid to look itself in the mirror in ~arts
HellsBells Link ParentI feel that professional ballet is a sado/mashochistic dance of perfection. The ballet directors can be sadistic and cruel to people who are so mentally fragile and physically exhausted. The...I feel that professional ballet is a sado/mashochistic dance of perfection. The ballet directors can be sadistic and cruel to people who are so mentally fragile and physically exhausted. The dancers keep up the torture trying to achieve the perfection they feel is lacking in themselves. They punish their minds and bodies never truly being able to accept how good they are, or deserving of praise and validaton. The whole thing, while undeniably beautiful in its execution, is beyond sad.
Amateur ballet is a fantastic way (as you highlighted) to learn body balance, awareness and generate internal core strength and fitness. They are poles apart.
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Comment on GenX, what is a music video that you feel best represents us? in ~music
HellsBells LinkFor me it was the explosion of MTV. The 'Sledgehammer' and 'Money For Nothing' videos were mindblowingly amazing at the time. The other part of it was being young in the 70s, a teenager in the 80s...For me it was the explosion of MTV. The 'Sledgehammer' and 'Money For Nothing' videos were mindblowingly amazing at the time.
The other part of it was being young in the 70s, a teenager in the 80s and early twenties in the 90s - I had the best of everything over multiple decades. It was really from the 50s (influence from grandmother and mother) and the 60s/70s (influence from mother) all the way through to today. Videos eventually appeared for almost every track known.
God, I feel so old!
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Comment on Introductions | April 2023 in ~talk
HellsBells LinkI'm not so much a Reddit refugee because I deleted my account there a few years ago. I still lurk a little bit but there's not much to engage me anymore. I was interested in Tildes because, as...I'm not so much a Reddit refugee because I deleted my account there a few years ago. I still lurk a little bit but there's not much to engage me anymore. I was interested in Tildes because, as many others have said, it feels like Reddit used to be. Good conversation and nobody being a dick.
I work in IT and am a Sr Manager for a multi national in the EU, but it's functional rather than technical role. I like AC/DC if you hadn't guessed 🙂. I have an eclectic music mix though - from Abba to ZZTop and all sorts in between.
A bit of cycling, a bit of gaming and enjoying life.
I'm also GenX and this whole thread is really interesting. I never, in a million years, thought when I was young that we would morph into a society with technology that could track our every movement. The height of technology at the time, in my friend group, was the Walkman!
We had so much independence and freedom, especially in working class households. Your mother wanted you out of the house and from under her feet. If you didn't turn up for lunch (spoiler - there wouldn't be any!) then you were expected at dinner.
I can't imagine tracking children to the extent that's possible now. And, full disclosure, I'm childfree but the thought of tracking any loved one or dear friend to this level is just - weird.
Maybe I'm a dinosaur, and I have a purely UK working class childood mindset, but the thought of my mother tracking where I was when I was 'out of sight' is truly awful. The places we went and the things that we did - it is part of what shaped who I am now, and I wouldn't change that for anything.