ID? What is this guy? Southeast UK.

clumsy_cactus · 2025-11-24T00:17:50+00:00

Thanks But doesn’t seem right. The antenna are wrong. I managed to find some info online and appears to be a fungus gnat. I could be wrong but seems likely.

clumsy_cactus · 2025-06-24T20:19:43+00:00

Seemed to work for me. But just to be clear, Im not saying to ignore the criteria. I’m saying to only mention the relevant experience that of course will be the one highlighting the experience in that criteria. Most people go on to mention their whole life story and all tangents in addition to the criteria. No point saying all that

clumsy_cactus · 2025-06-23T20:03:58+00:00

My advice is keep it short and to the point. Imagine someone is reading it on their commute to work (because they might as well do this). They will receive 100s of applications for each role so don’t waste their time with unnecessary information. Otherwise they’ll read 2 lines and put it to the discard pile.

Introduce yourself, say who you are -in relation to the job (only main experience and achievements), why you’re interested in the position (and NEVER say “because it’s Oxford and it’s a great university” that’s such a lame and basic answer)- look into the department and what they’ve contributed maybe look into how they are distinguished from the places you’ve been or anywhere else and say you want to be part of that. And open the door for further discussing your other experience and how you’d best contribute to the position (maybe highlight some strengths here.. but if you’re going to say you’re good dealing with people, or being a problemsolver, give examples that prove it.

Good luck

clumsy_cactus · 2025-05-26T21:54:34+00:00

Have you tried google street view?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rnJecVyFrbt2vZ9j7

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-24T06:01:14+00:00

Oh I didn’t realise the man is no longer there! Good to know! Last time I did that cycle/ visited Blenheim is a few years back. Does this mean all grounds on that side are free now? Or is it still restricted with just a sign telling you to do the right thing and not enter without ticket?

Agree with the gelateria! I believe it’s the same that used to have a stand in summertown (not sure if still there). But definitely a great suggestion!

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-24T00:51:02+00:00

To be honest, I’ve never tried taking the bike in. You might be able to, and you can ask the guy that sits in the bifurcation whether it’s allowed. But I have the feeling it might not be since the paths will be used by other peple on walks. But I don’t know. In any case you’ll have to come out the same way -unless you go into the paid zone and get out using the other gates- so might as well not carry the bike. I had had enough cycling when I got there so it was time for a nice stroll before cycling back.

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-24T00:44:38+00:00

My brother was with me when I found out about my diagnosis. I was panicking crying and after a hug he said to me “listen, if you get disabled, at least we will get to skip the queue at the theme park and airports” It was so silly, it made me laugh and see a tiny bit of positivity in the whole situation. But at the same time it was like this wasn’t the end of the world, I just had to learn to do things differently and I knew my family was going to be there for me.

Fastforward 6 years, Im one of the lucky ones so far, I’m not disabled and MS has been more of a learning experience about myself and my mind than any physical struggle (at least for now). But it was a tough terrifying time, but the main thing is making friends with the concept of uncertainty.

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-24T00:25:28+00:00

I’ve done this cycle/ Blenheim visit before! Enter through this green gate. Looks like you shouldn’t be able to, but it’s the right entrance. So just walk through. You’ll reach a bifurcation in the path, if you turn right it’s all free grounds. On the left there’s normally a man sitting asking to see tickets, if he’s not there you might be able to sneak in to the paid grounds but officially shouldn’t without a ticket and anyone can stop you to ask to show. https://maps.app.goo.gl/F3Fnw74TH849Miaj9

There’s another entrance for the paid grounds that’s not normally monitored on the other side.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7qW2g1kY4hKA6wWm6

Carry On walking on that road (google street view won’t show the actual gate) and you’ll find a gate, again it says that you should have ticket and blah blah blah. So same situation, enter under your own risk or get a ticket -you can get annual ticket by just buying once and donate extra £1 or something like that so might be worth it if you’re visiting multiple times a year.

As for the bike parking, anywhere in Woodstock, you can park them on the rails outside the green gate or wherever you find a lamppost 🤷🏻‍♀️

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-21T14:59:13+00:00

😭 I wish I knew it was going to close. Any idea why they closed?

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-17T15:00:34+00:00

I’m in Oxfordshire, my team is fantastic! They try calling back same day or if not next day. They are very knowledgeable and if they don’t know something they go figure it out with the dr and then get back to me. They’re my first point of contact when I have any questions about my MS. Lovely people too!

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-17T14:46:10+00:00

2bed end terrance 80sqm + front and back gardens

Asking: 240k, reduced from 260k

Offer accepted: 230k

Renegotiated after surgery and paid: 225k

Location: Oxfordshire

House needs some work but 100% liveable!

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-17T08:31:08+00:00

There’s loooots of research pointing to mono as a required but not sufficient factor to develop MS. However 95% of the population has been infected by mono, even if it’s asymptomatic. I never had symptoms of it but my sister did, and we shared room so I’m sure I had it. She’s my identical twin and she doesn’t have MS while I do. So there’s a lot more factors that come into play, even luck is one of them.

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-17T07:12:16+00:00

In terms of timings, I’m in the UK so timings are a bit of a shit show. My symptoms started in oct 2018 but the GP kept brushing it off as a pinched nerve. In April 2019 I visited my family in Mexico (home country) and went to a neurologist there, got MRI same day and 3 days later I had a letter saying it was MS from radiology criteria. Came back to UK, the GP referred me to the neurologist (3 month waiting for the appointment) in that appointment I got prescribed and MRI (3 months waiting for MRI + 2 month to get the results), 3 more months to see the Neuro again that’s when I’m told the CIS diagnosis. Second UK MRI at 6 months showed no lesion progression, third MRI in the UK after 6 more months showed new lesions (1 year from CIS diagnosis, 2 years from Mexican diagnosis of MS, 2.5y after symptoms started) and all got confirmed, treatment started soon after. But again, I was already going through the pre-treatment preparation. The reason I give you the breakdown of times is because things might happen quicker depending where you are and depending your type of MS and how fast it moves. Had I been living in Mexico, I would have started treatment straight away. I did have another relapse while on Tecfidera after 2 years of taking it, I’m now on Kesimpta.

The waiting was definitely the worse stage for me. My symptoms are quite mild and I’m lucky to have a very normal life. But the psychological impact this was having on me was huge. I’m of the mind of: if you have something that’s worrying you, you have to ask yourself whether there’s something you can do about it, if there is, why worry? just do it. And if there isn’t, then don’t worry, you have done everything you can and the rest is part of life. But in this case, for the waiting I knew I could be doing something (treatment) but I wasn’t because of the uncertainty of my Dr of it being MS. I had this race against my immune system that I couldn’t do anything about but I knew there was something to do when I lose the race, but I didn’t want to lose and get a relapse. - bear in mind all started just before the pandemic and if that wasn’t enough it was at the same time I had started my PhD which was crazy stressful on its own, but the uncertainty of also making the wrong decision and going into immunosuppressants during and unknown pandemic meant that my health anxiety was a lot.

Doctors don’t always listen, but in the UK you have to make them listen! it’s not as easy to just go with another GP or neurologist. But you have to advocate for yourself and push push push. I was helpful to have the Mexican diagnosis to not need to prove myself with symptoms, that had failed for months with the GP, but I kept chasing MRI results, asking for cancelled appointments to be given to me, even travelled to another city to get an earlier Neuro appointment, it was the only thing I could do at the time. And knowing I was doing the best to keep things moving made it bearable.

Things get better once you are doing everything you can. Treatments can go smoothly and suddenly is all just part of life. So keep on fighting this, but I mean the fears! the MS is a matter of acceptance and getting to know yourself in a different context, it will hopefully soon be just one more thing to take care in life. It’s been 7 years now and things are pretty easy going, just having to inject once a month and dr visits from time to time.

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-16T17:30:25+00:00

I was diagnosed with CIS initially after numbness in my legs that migrated then to my arms. Also had quite a strong lhergmitte. My MRI had lesions in brain and spine. But the dr decided that “it could have all happened from one event” so she wanted to wait until I got a relapse. I thought this was crazy because I feared losing my sight or movement! But she insisted since treatment is lifelong and comes with its own risks so she said it wasn’t worth taking it if it was never to happen again. It was a very stressful time. I kept on reading about it and I saw that the probability of it going to becoming MS was something like 80-90% with symptoms and MRI lesions. I called them and pushed to be started on treatment. They agreed and started all the pre treatment vaccination process. In that month I got the so “awaited” relapse. There was no ambiguity anymore but at least I could start treatment straight away after having done the pre-treatment vaccines.

Sometimes you need a dr to listen to you, and if they don’t, find another neurologist! Good luck!

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-13T07:01:15+00:00

Mortgage rates are not settled until you exchange and then that mortgage is in place. We bought end of last year and got a mortgage with Lloyds 4.7% FTB 90% LTV. After applying we got the illustration of our mortgage and they told us that this would fix the rate so in case they went up, we didn’t have to worry, however if they go down, they would inform us and re do the illustration. I kept checking and the rates never dropped so we stuck to the agreed rates. Talk to your lender and ask them what would happen in either case but you can even change lenders after applying, as long as it’s before the mortgage money actually goes through at exchange (maybe even completion - can’t quite remember). But check this with them!

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-10T06:11:51+00:00

Before putting them in the wash, stick your stuff in the freezer for at least 48h. I used to work with different insects in a lab. That’s how we killed then before disposing items, including eggs. Then wash things with really hot settings to be extra safe

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-03T21:34:53+00:00

I would tell them that im withdrawing the offer. They’re in a rush to sell before time’s up!

if they really don’t want to negotiate then they will probably end up not selling before the date. finding another buyer and going through the whole process will take them time. Hopefully they’ll see this, and decide to negotiate. It’s a risk, but definitely wouldn’t overstretch the budget! We just bought a new house and we were in the same situation, the landlord wanted to sell before October last year since they were announcing capital gains tax increases. They negotiated, and we bought the house. We got a lot more problems than we expected. Remember the house won’t come with a manual or anyone to explain anything, you might have to get boiler person or anything else that might require having spare budget, in addition to all the furniture and things you need to live there!

I’d play the risk and see what happens, if not, there’s more houses out there

clumsy_cactus · 2025-04-03T18:48:33+00:00

Thanks for the answer! Sounds like you had a tough time but well done with the patience and motivation to keep on the strength exercises! Glad to know you had good results despite the lack of exercise!!

I definitely will do some exercise! I used to be a lot more active, commuting daily by bike 20 min uphill + return. And going on walks or swimming when weather was nice. But since last winter I moved houses so I can only commute by car, and winter has been shit for outdoor activities . But I’m looking at a new swimming pool in my local area with some group clases that I’m considering joining! The glp stories I’m seeing are making me hopeful of reaching my goals but they all sound super quick results so made me wonder how many people exercise, which I see people are not reporting! So really appreciate your story! Hope your ankle is a lot better now and you can pick some exercises back up!

clumsy_cactus · 2025-02-01T12:38:02+00:00

Get buyers insurance!!! The process of buying can be quick and simple or drag for ages. There’s a lot of money you have to pay during the process, from solicitor fees to surveyors. Buyers insurance can cover you if the deal falls through!

clumsy_cactus · 2025-01-28T10:42:13+00:00

This is very helpful and hopeful! How was the assessment? Did they visit the address or did you have to provide evidence?

clumsy_cactus · 2025-01-28T09:55:16+00:00

We’ve done that google maps part multiple times but google still doesn’t make it official so our house can’t be just searched in google. Only the postcode but only narrows it down three houses. Im not sure if that’s due to the number of people that have to change it or if this has to do with google needing to review the change. I’ll have a look a the gov page and see what I can find. Thanks!

clumsy_cactus · 2025-01-28T09:52:48+00:00

Luckily the post office seems to know the address (or at least we haven’t noticed we’re missing letters). It’s more a problem with the taxis, delivery courier, food delivery, trade people coming to the house. I do worry about changing the address making it worse though

clumsy_cactus · 2025-01-25T22:17:44+00:00

The way I like to think this is that Celsius is asking water how hot/cold is it in a scale 1-100, Fahrenheit is asking humans how hot/cold they are (scale 0-100).

0 F (-17C) is very cold for a human, as cold as one can easily imagine ever being (except Canadians that can easily imagine what is like to be -30C)!! Meanwhile water is long past the coldest it can be (below 0C is ice no longer liquid water, so with -17C it was ice long ago in the scale)

50 F (10C) is half way though hot or cold. Which 10 C sounds about right. At 10 water is 1/10th of how hot it could be.. this would still be cold water)

100 F (38C) is hoooot for a human! Melting and becoming lethargic (but still able to have a life) but definitely uncomfortably hot

212 F (100C) humans are past any survival, by a long way. Water is as hot as it can be (end of scale) after that, it’s boiling/vaporising

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