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tel-boy's bio
I'm a 72 year old Retired Electro Mechanical Engineer. with a Master qualification in Mechanical Engineering.
Worked all over the world since I was 24 years old. Married for over 50 years and looking forward to our Golden Anniversary in 2013. I am a member of The Biddick Writers Group at Washington, Tyne & Wear.
I have written two novels so far and a Children's story book. At present I am busy writing my third novel.
www.washington-writers.weebly.com -
tel-boy's latest comments
ViewDate:
18th Nov 2015
tel-boy commented on:
Pensioners 'should retake driving test'I have been driving since I was 17 years old, I have driven cars and motorcycles all over the world and never ever had an accident. At 71 years old I have my eyesight and hearing tested every year. I maintain my own car mechanically as I am an Engineer. I clean my car windows every day to allow good viewing of what is happening around me. I am disabled and drive an automatic car and I have a very sharp mind. I rarely drive long distances and my car is relative to me for shopping, hospital and doctor visits. Without my car life would certainly become meaningless and certainly disastrous. I wouldn't mind taking a driving test, if I had to take one that is. I feel confident and very alert all the time whilst driving. I do my best to stick to the rules and regulations and stick to the speed limit which certainly annoys younger drivers than myself. I have found that younger drivers seem to have other things on their minds other than concentrating on their driving. I don't drink alcohol at all, I don't smoke, I keep as fit as I possibly can at my age and I RESPECT other road users. Young drivers cars should all be speed restricted to a maximum of around 40 MPH and, should be fully re-tested every year. If I see a learner driver in front of me I always slow down and try not to make any sudden moves like overtaking. sometimes life can be a bitch for senior citizens, another driving test is just another bitch.ViewDate:
10th Aug 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Are the over 50s more caring than younger age groups?I guess what it comes down to is how children nowadays are brought up. When I was young I was taught to respect everyone, especially people older than myself and I have passed this knowledge on to my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Only one of them, a female is all for herself first and last in every respect. I take care of my wife who is a diabetic, she takes care of me with all my health problems and we survive and have been happy and content for 52 years since we married. Alcohol is the main problem in my area with youngsters nowadays. I Think some older retired people/disabled people have no respect for anyone while driving disabled scooters through any shopping centre, they think they have the right of way and no respect for anyone else young or old. Some teenages have no respect for property, break car windows, destroy gardens and break house windows in my area on a regular basis at weekends. I guess it comes down to the individual, young or old. IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO "HOW THEY WERE BROUGHT UP".ViewDate:
20th Jul 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Should smoking be banned on British beaches?Drinking is causing more problems in the country now than smoking. There are 180 volcanos erupting every single day on this planet pushing out more toxic fumes than all the cars and cigaret smokers on this planet. The Icelandic volcane on its last eruption last year spewed out more toxins in 3 days than humans have caused it 100 year, that includes smokers and vehicles. Its all to do with money for the government coffers. So, all the beaches in the world are filled with deadly toxins and and less than 00000.1% is from smoking cigaretts. The beaches are filthy when people leave their rubbish and the tide take the rubbish out to sea killing and maiming sea animals, so we should ban anyone taking carier back, tishues and anything that will damage the animals in the sea. For goodness sake get real and get a life.ViewDate:
31st Mar 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Whistle to the WindThank you for your kind words Wiccy, I try to write as I feel and writing about something I have experienced reveals my inner feelings.ViewDate:
6th Mar 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Should smoking be brought back into pubs?I 100% agree with you comments Dragonmum.ViewDate:
6th Mar 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Should smoking be brought back into pubs?You have hit the button on the head "HandymanPhil" There are also 200 Volcano's that erupt every single day of every year pouring poisonous gasses into the atmosphere. One day of eruption from Iceland's volcano wiped out 20 years of the pollution caused my man alone and it erupted for 5 days. Volcanic ash causes cancer as volcanic carcinogens are almost 1000 times stronger than inhaled cigarette smoke or from vehicle exhaust systems. Government taxes on Cigarettes and cars spewing out carcinogens do not help in the decrease of the poison in the atmosphere cause by volcanic action.ViewDate:
6th Mar 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Should smoking be brought back into pubs?I have smoked for 55 years, since I started work at 15. I don't drink though, never have done. The thought of pouring liquid poison down my throat really turns me off. Ok smoking is also bad but at 71 I enjoy it. I don't smoke in the house, in any car and in no one else's house and I do not go to pubs at all. I cant see any reason why smoking should be banned in pubs, a separate room for smokers and non smokers. Today's technology in air system engineering if far advanced, I know it is, I am a retired Engineer, and if installed in any pub no one would even know there was smoke present in any room. I have friends who both drink and smoke but stay at home doing both as the pubs don't allow smoking inside. That is money lost by the public houses, but there's another side as well. Supermarket alcohol is a lot cheaper than buying it at a pub, you can stay at home with friends, watch TV, have a smoke and a cheap drink and enjoy life without all the public hassle and hue and cry about smokers. Just get on with life for goodness sake!!!!!!!ViewDate:
22nd Feb 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Is it important to know how to use grammar correctly?What is below is not really about correct grammar, but it might entertain you. UP You will laugh about this word “UP” This two letter word in English has more meanings than any other two letter word, and that word is 'UP' It is listed in the dictionary as an [adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v] It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP, and why are the officers UP for election (if there is a tie, it is a toss UP) and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We call UP our friends, brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and fix UP the old car. At other times, this little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special. And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is blocked UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of the word UP, look UP the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with UP to a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out, we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it soaks UP the earth, when it does not rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now . . . My time is UP! Oh . . . One more thing: What are the first things you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night? Wake UP, Shut UP. Did that one crack you UP? Where would you wind UP without it!! Now I’ll shut UPViewDate:
21st Feb 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Should unemployed young people work for their benefits?Yes, young people should work for their benefits, so should older people within the benefit range. I served a 5 year apprenticeship and was paid by my company. In those days before the Conservative government closed the Mines, the ship building and steel works there was plenty of work in the NE of England for everyone. Nowadays there is no real industry for youngsters to be apprenticed to. The small businesses can't afford to pay massive sums of money over 5 years. Now, its only a year, or two years apprenticeship and That Is "IT." I have never been on the dole in my life, never received any type of benefits from any government in the past 72 years. Disabled people like myself will shortly have to pay for disabled parking places at hospitals, this money will definitely help those who are not genuinely out of work because of disabilities, but the scroungers will also benefit. Is this right.????ViewDate:
21st Feb 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Should new fathers paternity leave and pay be doubled?For goodness sake let's get back to reality. Its enough that the mother of a new born is off work, Maternity leave is for those who actually give birth to a baby, not someone who put it there. This is another Conservative gimmick for the upcoming elections. This country is going to the dogs,. Mothers should stay at home with the kids and the father should go to work like a good little boy and earn some money so his wife doesn't have to worry herself about money. I can think of a million ways to spend the the money the father would receive as he watches the mother feed the baby. I have 4 children, all born at home. I never stayed off work for even one day. There was plenty of time for me to help my wife with the chores, do the shopping, bath the children and play with them. Am I so different from modern day husbands????ViewDate:
9th Feb 2015 tel-boy commented on:
What irritates you the most about mobile phone users?I have a mobile phone on Pay as you go. I put £10 on it 2 years ago and only use it to find my wife in Sainsbury's whilst shopping after I have parked our car. I still get messages and calls from companies I don't know, "Have you worked in a noisy environment" for instance, "yes but I am hearing you OK" or "You have reached someone who is deaf, will you please shout as loud as possible." They then just end the call,ViewDate:
9th Feb 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Would you like to turn back time?No, I would not like to turn back time. Although in saying that I can remember when I was super fit and healthy, I could do anything. I worked as an Engineer abroad and loved the different cultures the confronted me on a daily basis. Neighbours were real neighbours then, now its just a nod of the head or a "Hello" from them. Children were healthy because the went outside to play, nowadays they sit in the house on their mobile phones all day long or on play-stations shooting people. Parent are afraid to let their children play outside in today's world because of paedophile's. Looking at the present time and being over 70 years old the internet is a good thing for me. I have time to do what I want when I want. I have electricity, gas and running water in my home, the toilet is inside as well so I keep nice and warm all the time. The good old days were really good in lots of ways, but the modern world is far superior. One thing that bothers me in this new world of ours is my grandchildren and great grandchildren's future. The amount of war's in this modern world of ours, people killing people of their own race and creed, killing of minorities and all because of religion and its beliefs. Now its a land war with Russia killing people in their thousands. We have Ebola in Africa killing thousands of people, its a lot different from whooping cough and TB we had in the UK when I was a kid. So, we of the golden age live in two worlds, our past and our present.ViewDate:
9th Feb 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Would you consider having a GP consultation via webcam?Yes I would like to have have a GP consultation on my webcam. Sometimes I am in so much pain it is impossible for me to walk more than a few feet, my Spondulitis back and neck pain sometimes last for days or weeks, so going to the doctors for a face to face consultation is out of the question for me at times. I order both my wife's and my prescription's over the NHS patient access internet system so why not a consultation. I am all for it.ViewDate:
28th Jan 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Outrage as Cadbury's owner changes Creme Egg recipeThe recipe has changed in the UK as well. I have loved Cadbury's chocolate and the cream eggs all my life but now I would never dream of buying any Cadbury product. The chocolate tastes foul and leaves a nasty taste in your mouth that is hard to get rid of.ViewDate:
28th Jan 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Do you use online banking?I do not use online banking. A neighbour of mine had his bank account emptied when his account was hacked by someone in China. A friend of mine had his Facebook account hacked and all his private information was stolen so I prefer to go to my bank personally. Call and have a coffee and possibly meet friends.ViewDate:
12th Jan 2015 tel-boy commented on:
A Breath So Sweet - Part IIThis story is "EXCELLENT" It would need a little pruning, removal of the Dash - for instance and a few other minor details but when it is completed I would love to have the writers permission to place it on my writers group web site. A heartbreaking story so far, but, I foresee a happy ending.ViewDate:
12th Jan 2015 tel-boy commented on:
Enter our Prize Draw to win one of 5 Electronic Cigarette Kits!I have smoked for 55 years and I need to stop smoking as it is effecting my health.ViewDate:
23rd Dec 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Win an iPad Mini (16GB, Wifi) in our Prize Draw!I would love to win this iPad, not for myself but for a young girl who is a refugee from Libya. Her family have been here in England for six months and have nothing. She wants to go to school and her English is excellent so this iPad will help her in her education.ViewDate:
22nd Dec 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Are you more of a dog person or a cat person?I have 2 cats, Katy and Molly. My oldest cat Kieran had to be put to sleep 3 years ago, I do so miss him and my heart breaks when thinking about him. Katy is a chocolate Tortoise and 6 years old, and Molly is a grey Tortoise. 4 years old. They are my children and I love them so, so much. I love dogs as well but neither my wife or I can walk walk for long distances so it would be be wrong for us to own a dog.ViewDate:
15th Nov 2014
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15th Nov 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Enter our Prize Draw to win a Halogen Table Light from Serious Readers!I really need one of theseViewDate:
22nd Jul 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Is political correctness in our modern society, being taken too far or have we got the balance right? What are your views?I agree with you Flowerbucket 1,000%. Political correctness is becoming the downfall of this England we all call home. Our school children can't learn the stories we learnt at school. Pigs and other ornaments have been removed from banks and offices so the great Piggy Bank savings we used as children has now gone forever. I am fed up with the wealthy Tories and its co-herts and also with Labour for rejecting the unions so, the only one left to vote for next year is UKIP. I am pleased that I will not be alive in 50 years time when we have a muslim parliament.ViewDate:
18th Jul 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Tablet vs LaptopIts a few years since I owned or used a laptop, it was at that time easier for me to travel abroad with the laptop but since I retired 11 years ago I switched to a desktop with a 32 inch screen. I also owned one of the first Ipad's, an IPad 1 which I used for 4 years without any problems. My wife bought me an iPad Ait for my 70th birthday, I was very pleased to receive it because it is lighter and faster than my iPad 1. The iPad air is good because it has a 5Mp camera and really does take good photos. I take it everywhere with me especially to my writers group where I can read my stories and poems I have written on my iPad to to our members. Its also good for movies, music and the internet and I use it all the time to send and receive my emails. I use my PC for watching movies in the evening when Emmerdale and Corrie are on TV as I have a large screen. I would say that I use my iPad for 90% of the time and definitely is better than a laptop for me.ViewDate:
18th Jul 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Right to DieI support the "RIGHT TO DIE." I myself am in constant pain 24/7 but at this moment in time I can manage to a certain degree. Sometimes I cry because the pain is so severe, a 70 year old man crying in pain is not a sight to be seen by anyone. Yes there are people worse off than me and I feel heartily sorry for them but, they persevere as best they can. Not everyone can afford to go abroad to end their painful life of misery, I certainly can't. We have witnessed programmes on TV that shock us, people in severe pain, can't talk, can't walk, can't express their feelings and everything in their lives is dependent on wives, husbands and family. We all have a right to live and we should have a right to die.ViewDate:
8th Jul 2014 tel-boy commented on:
How do you cope with your aches and pains?12 years ago I had my right knee replaced, 11 years ago I had my left knee replaced and 9 years ago I had my left hip replaced and now my right hip is giving me problems along with my right knee. I have osteoarthritis and spondylitis of the spine along with arthritis in my right shoulder and left hand where only my thumb and second finger are any use to me. I also have a prostate problem that is very painful but at 70 years old I still can't sit still for very long. I maintain my own car, do all the decorating in my home, cut the grass every week in my very large garden and I am the Chairman of a writers group. I am in constant pain 24/7 but I don't let that stop me from doing things. I find that when I am busy, my pain is secondary, although the following day I do suffer a lot worse from my previous days workout. I have stopped taking the Tramadol Hydrochloride pain killers, the Tamulosin Hydrochloride muscle relaxants, the Amitriptyline and the Warfarin along with others and I feel better without them as none eased the pain I have or allowed me to sleep any better than I do without them. I usually sleep for 4 hours solid, the same amount of sleep I have always had during my life. I go to bed with pain and get up with pain but that is my life and I have learnt to live with it. I have written and published 2 novels and a childrens story book and on writing my third novel at the moment. I also look after my wife who is a Diabetic, she can't walk very far so I do all the shopping, washing, cooking and clean house, after all, she has looked after me for the better part of our 50 years of happy marriage. So what is the use of me grumbling about anything in my life, it does me no good whatsoever and I hope to live for many more years in pain. :-) For 45 years of my life I have worked abroad as an Engineer, I have a degree and a masters degree in Electro Mechanical Engineering, the masters degree I earned last year by post from Edinborough University, took 3 years, just something I wanted to do. I have a desktop PC and an iPad Air, the iPad is a lifeline for me when the pain is so bad I can't climb the stairs. www.washington-writers.weebly.com is my web site, check it out and if you have ant stories or poems you would like to see in print on my web site just send them to me with your nabe and I will publish them. So take care everyone and God bless. :-DViewDate:
26th May 2014 tel-boy commented on:
ScamsScams, Scams everywhere. I had a telephone call from my supposed internet provider a month or so ago saying there was a problem with my computer. I kept the guy on the phone for ages and eventually I asked him which of the 12 computers I own was the one with the problem. He then said "Its the one that is running." I replied "They are all running, so which one is faulty, The call then ended abruptly. 2 Days ago I received a sudden unknown window flash up on my PC from Microsoft. It said my computer had been compromised fro someone in China. It gave me th IP address of both the sender and the receiver "Me." but my IP address was totally wrong and my email address with 7 letters was also wrong. I have never ever had an email address with 7 letters in it. Eventually I contacted Microsoft and they conformed it was a scam, "A very good scam as the Microsoft page was a very genuine looking one." To be even more secure on Microsoft I changed my Password completely. EBAY has been compromised and they are advising that everyone should change their password on both EBAY and PayPal. No ones account details have been stolen from either but changing your password will give you better security. One should change all passwords on a regular basis. :-DViewDate:
16th Feb 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Recipe booksI don't do much cooking but when I do I use my "FROM THE KITCHENS OF EASTERN ARABIA." Recipe book. Its not a recipe book that can be found on any bookshelf its one put together by multiple nationalities living and working in Saudi Arabia. It's a book I couldn't do without, so diverse and interesting. This is 6" thick book with over 800 pages and contains actual colour pictures of the food. The name and nationality of the individual person who presented the recipe is also in the book. A treasure I will pass on to my children.ViewDate:
20th Jan 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Welcome to the Silversurfers ForumHi Marymol, I am from Durham City but live in Washington UK now. Born in Hallgarth Street in Hallgarth House. Also lived in Ushaw Moor, Esh Winning and New Brancepeth, served my Apprenticeship at Bearpark Colliery. I am a writer now and a member of a writers group in Washington. Check out my web site on- www.washington-writers.weebly.com.ViewDate:
20th Jan 2014 tel-boy commented on:
Welcome to the Silversurfers ForumHi All, I bought the original iPad about 4 years ago and it is still going strong. I do a lot of writing on it, stories and poems along with email and the 10 hour battery lasts me for only about 8 hours now. I will be 70 in a couple of months time and my wife wants to buy me the new Apple iPad Air as a present. I have decided that I will buy myself a new case and keyboard for the new iPad Air. At present I use the on screen keyboard and have had no problems in using it, but I had a trial at the Apple shop with a keyboard and I can type very quickly indeed, far faster than the on screen keyboard. The only thing that bothers be about the iPad Air is, the battery, processor and the front glass screen are all glued in place and will be more than difficult to replace. All other Ipads 1,2,3&4 these items are not glued in place and easily replaced or repaired. The screen on the older iPads is mounted on shock absorber rubber so, if dropped and the glass shatters it is easily replaced, I have my doubts about replacing the glass screen on the iPad Air. If anyone has had any problem with these items in the iPad Air I would love to hear about their repair/replacement experiences. Have a nice day everyone!!!!!! -
tel-boy's latest showcase activity
Approved0 Comments03/12/2014 17:54:12poems: Sweetheart, Let Me Go MyI wrote many years ago while working in Saudi Arabia for my wife. At the time I was in hospital...
Approved0 Comments18/11/2014 22:27:50poems: DistanceThey say distance makes the heart grow fonder … this touching poem written by Terry Forster...
Approved5 Comments17/11/2014 12:02:03poems: I rememberThis poignant poem was written by Terry Forster, reminiscing about days gone by ... I REMEMBER...
Approved4 Comments14/07/2014 10:12:39short stories: Whistle to the WindThembo, an Igbo tribesman, sat at the top of the evergreen Congo Chulu hills in utter silence. Not...
Approved0 Comments01/07/2014 10:32:42poems: The Beauty of a WomanThis touching and poignant poem was written by Terrance Forster ... The Beauty of a Woman...
Approved0 Comments10/06/2014 21:44:50short stories: A Blue RoseIt was that time of the year once again when the children were on holiday for six weeks. It’s a...
Approved0 Comments10/06/2014 07:00:43short stories: Across The SeaIt was holiday season once again and my two friends John and Dave and I were going on a trip...
Approved1 Comments21/05/2014 13:42:10poems: Have you put out the light?Here is a witty poem written by Terrence Forster inspired by a question which his wife asked...
Approved1 Comments24/02/2014 17:20:59poems: When I was a LadThis poem of reminiscence was written by Terry Forster ... WHEN I WAS A LAD I...
Approved20 Comments13/02/2014 08:29:47poems: The SatnavA very amusing poem about a 'Satnav' with a difference! The SatNav I have a little...
Approved0 Comments09/12/2013 10:42:02poems: When I was a BoyWhen I was a boy, and young at heart I looked at the world, knowing not where to start When I was... -
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iPad Ios 7.2 software update. -
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