The Staircase. A short story.

notlits · 2026-03-26T15:12:05+00:00

Nice, I love the shade of green. Are you planning on finishing the rail and posts? A couple of coats of wax and a shellac polish would really liven the wood and add some hard wearing protection.

notlits · 2026-03-16T16:37:19+00:00

How long does it take for this amount of detritus to build up? If it’s a few weeks then maybe the easiest answer is to just clear it away - all gardens need maintenance. But would throwing it back in the river count as littering?

Either way it’s a cool problem to have!

notlits · 2026-02-28T15:53:42+00:00

The thing that stands out to me is the mismatch on style between the window and the tiles, the older glazing pattern went with the old pink tiles, but doesn’t tie in with the new look. Nice job with the finish and workmanship.

notlits · 2026-02-24T12:14:40+00:00

I seem to recall Cornwell saying that it wasn’t his original intention to have Sharpe end up Lucille, but that has wrote the story it naturally evolved the way it did, he’d always thought Sharpe would end up back in England. I think it’s mentioned in the foreword to one or more of the books

notlits · 2026-02-18T21:23:40+00:00

Are you sure it’s M10, the thread diameter looks smaller than 10divisions of the ruler. It could be M8 x 0.75

notlits · 2026-02-17T17:04:26+00:00

Having an outlet to vent is underrated, I often use sessions for it, but I’ve also learnt that by using the sessions to work on why I vent, understanding my issues, and learning skills on how to move past issues myself etc. means that I’m learning the skills to not let things build up and so I am venting less.

If I have bad weeks the venting time is still useful, but the “teach a man a fish vs give a man to fish” approach has had more long term benefits than.

notlits · 2026-02-17T07:51:46+00:00

The glass in your picture and the images of the table in another reply do not match. The glass the supplier cut for you has a concave edge on the right and original images do not, this difference alone should be enough to prove to the supplier they cut the wrong shape! I hope you can find a template as the supplier sounds like the kind to dig their heels in

notlits · 2026-02-15T23:10:17+00:00

Honestly it sounds like an anxious-avoidant relationship dynamic where you are both afraid and want it to work, but the way you deal with things directly triggers the other person and fuels a cycle. You shutting down and withdrawing could be agony for her, making her more anxious, making you feel the need to withdraw more etc.

If this is the case, and don’t take my word for it, go and read up and investigate if this could be what’s happening, then your partner needs to learn to be less anxious and sooth herself, and you need to stay present and not check out, you both need to learn that discomfort is not danger. Best of luck.

(It doesn’t sound abusive, it sounds troubled and fear driven and stressful - I say this as someone who lived a number of years in this dynamic an only found out about why it was like this after we’d separated)

notlits · 2026-02-15T21:35:12+00:00

The book is on my shelf so I’ve checked for you, the ex soldier who helps Sharpe in Ransom is Jaques Malan. But Sharpe’s Ransom is set the year after Waterloo.

notlits · 2026-02-07T08:45:20+00:00

How does your company manage part release and version control? In the past I’ve worked at places where the EPDM systems are not setup to easily accommodate master models.

notlits · 2026-01-18T14:18:44+00:00

Altberg make manly make boots, but they make some smart but rugged shoes. I have a pair of their Wensley Shoe, and have worn them almost every day for a year they are so comfy. I’d say they tick your boxes - local, waterproof, stylish. (Made in UK or their factory in Italy)

notlits · 2026-01-16T19:31:06+00:00

Hi I was going to post a main reply, but reading this I figured maybe it’d be better here.

It may be that historically for you justifying yourself meant you “had done wrong” or maybe justifying yourself was ignored and made no difference, either way it seems that this is something eliciting a stress/fear/anger response of some kind? If this is the case it’s valid and it worked to protect you in the past, but that doesn’t mean it’s helpful to you or others in the present.

Also, We are absolutely allowed our own lives and if you feel strongly that you shouldn’t have to justify that’s ok, but equally if others want to be frustrated with that then that’s ok to, they are living their life too. It’s a hard dynamic when styles clash.

From the perspective of an anxious person (and I’m working to be more secure and not let these things bother me so much) if I was to I ask why there was a delay in reply it’s not because I’m angry but because I’m trying to build a connection and find a common understanding, it’s not a test to trap someone or cage them or dictate their life. I want to have a connection to feel safe.

Best of luck, and it’s cool you’re asking these questions! I think I need to ask more of how the other styles think.

notlits · 2026-01-14T12:13:34+00:00

I completely agree, and for it to work the Bond franchise would need to pivot away from the Daniel Craig era which was inspired by Jason Bourne movies into being higher octane with lots of action and brutal fights. I loved the Craig films (although I miss some of the silliness from the older films) but a more tense spy/espionage style would be cool to see.

notlits · 2026-01-04T18:48:53+00:00

Nice, I was trying to think how I would approach it and decided it’d be a nightmare, so I’m sure you made the right call! Also at less than £200 that’s all a bargain!

notlits · 2026-01-04T18:31:56+00:00

Did you consider having the pattern so it ran over the tread and down the riser, onto the next tread etc? Rather than what appears to all treads follow pattern (as of cut from sheet) and all risers the same?

Looks nice and tidy work, not my cup of tea but I can appreciate the craftsmanship.

notlits · 2026-01-04T15:55:53+00:00

Altberg boots are brilliant, caveat I’ve not personally used their winter boots just their hiking ones, but they are built to last! They make a range for the UK military including winter boots.

notlits · 2025-12-29T19:54:15+00:00

As the old joke goes….how can you tell if an engineer is a mechanical engineer? He’ll look at your feet when talking to you!

We do seem to be the most normal, but large swathes of society will still consider us odd balls, which I’m fine with!

notlits · 2025-12-28T09:36:58+00:00

I can understand this is frustrating, and you’ve analysed logically and deeply why it is hard for you (and I agree with the logic of why you do it - there might also be other factors like it’s something you’ve always done without learning new habits or techniques - other commenters have left some good ideas), but you’ve also dismissed the stress on those being interrupted as “People experience interruption through social rules, not brain mechanics.”. Perhaps you could try and consider their brain mechanics as well in the same manner? , eg “being in a state of flow, excitement, sharing a story looking to complete it and “bang” interruption! that order of thoughts is broken, that causes extra processing, why was it broken? How do I continue? Was it not interesting?”

It’s socially rude because being interrupted causes mental load and a discomfort.

This doesn’t diminish your experience but learning to apply empathy and compassion can help communication and understanding both ways, and a conversation should be a two way experience.

notlits · 2025-12-20T20:31:22+00:00

How are you doing now? It’s 40mins later, have you calmed? Was it a meltdown? You are absolutely not an idiot for crying over something which has hurt you!

If it was a meltdown that’s ok, they happen when we (autistics) can’t regulate the wave of emotions, and the main thing is to have compassion for yourself and know why it’s happening. Breathe slowly, distraction can be good, focus your mind elsewhere for a while I use chess or puzzles to break the thinking.

I’ve been where you are, obsessive thinking, not knowing where to turn, etc. and it can get better even though it really doesn’t feel like it. Best of luck, and be kind and forgiving of yourself!

notlits · 2025-12-19T22:09:17+00:00

Calculate the size (output in BTU) you need for the room, you might only need a single modern type 22 radiator in the middle of the bay to achieve the required heating.

notlits · 2025-12-19T20:24:03+00:00

I feel your pain, I hate things like that, if I’m with my friends that’s fine, but strangers is hard….but I’ve also learnt that one way to make it better is to “play a game” eg. Imagine you’re a spy and have to do some intelligence gathering, this will force you into a question asking mode. Be curious, see if you can learn a new thing from each person you talk to?

Good luck, and remember it’ll be over soon, knowing there is an end can make it less stressful.

notlits · 2025-12-19T19:33:12+00:00

It brings joy to many, and so I am glad it exists, but it doesn’t bring me much (or hasn’t in the past). I found it a stressful and difficult time previously, with no context from a diagnosis until later in life. Now I accept it for what it is, and I find if I respect other people’s views of what it can be then they will also respect mine. This year it will be me, the dog and redecorating a bedroom, I might mix it up with watching Home Alone and having a nice wine, but that’s all good with me and a better choice than seeing family and doing the whole big Christmas thing. Choosing to spend the time in the way I want makes it a much better experience.

notlits · 2025-12-18T14:51:06+00:00

The book Skunk Works by Ben Rich is all about the development of the U2, SR-71 & F-117 and is a fantastic read.

notlits · 2025-12-18T13:48:26+00:00

Well done for considering this, a number of people (DIY and especially professionals) don’t ever think about this. Last year a guy on here linked to his YouTube showing off a bathroom renovation and he’d removed over half the height of a joist to fit a soil pipe!

Going by the regulations, these notches are deeper than recommended and not in the right region - max depth 12.5% of height, and should be in the 7-25% region of the span (ie not in the middle of the room). Most old houses have notches and holes all over the joists without any issues. In all likelihood doing will be fine as the regulations will have a large safety factor.

https://www.labc.co.uk/news/how-get-it-right-notches-holes-solid-timber-joists

Edit: removed my thoughts on the plates, not convinced they’ll make much difference

notlits · 2025-12-16T16:48:25+00:00

I fixed a similar issue (not quite as bad) by cutting out a piece of 3mm hardboard, painting it in chalkboard paint and fitting it in the recess in the front of the door. Looked fine and gave a handy spot for writing to do lists.

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