The advice thread for random problems #5

[Snippysnips]

More of a random question this

If you set up a teams meeting an send someone else the invite to it and then you yourself have connection problems, does the meeting disappear on your end? Or would it still all be there but you just wouldn't be able to connect to it?

I was supposed to be in a teams meeting yesterday, there was no invitation sent to me like there usually is, sent the person emails telling them there was no invite only to be told this morning that they were having connection problems yesterday an they also had no invite to the meeting despite it being them that supposedly set it all up, so now am wondering if they even did set it up in the first place or forgot about it an are using the connection problems as a excuse

I set up zoom at work and the zoom meeting shows for me regardless of there's connection problems or not but am not familiar with teams

 

[Rxt156]

I need some help.. I’ve been with my partner for 11 years, we have a mortgage and are expecting our first child..
‘well, in January I got a credit card and spent 2k to take us on a dream holiday.. I told him I’d saved the money, but now he’s been made redundant I can’t keep the monthly payments up… I’ve really badly messed up but not sure what to do.

You need to know what the payments are and what you can afford each month. Hopefully he gets another job asap.

 

[chickhicks86]

I bought something called "Second Skin" (there's other knockoff brands which are great as well), which is a wound plaster specifically made for tattoos. I bought mine off Amazon. Ask your tattoo artist about if you're unsure about it but I personally would never go back to regular tattoo aftercare with the painful scabs and the blood plasma everywhere and the Sudocrem etc.

For one of my tattoos the artist applied it directly after and I left it for about a week; the other wasn't happy about Second Skin (he's old school) so I applied it myself at home by cleaning off the Vaseline thoroughly with soap while not scrubbing (!) the skin and then putting on the wound plaster.

It's gonna look a bit gross because the wound fluid will collect under the bandage, but it's actually really good for the wound to have that plasma there as it promotes healing. And it means your tattoo will not form scabs that might peel off and take the colour with it. All my tattoos I did with second skin are super crisp and healed beautifully.

The tattoo might be a bit warm to the touch, but shouldn't be hot - a bit of warmth is normal from the healing, but hot indicates infection and might need antibiotics like any regular wound.

Edit: forgot the best part - you can shower immediately, and without the faff about drying off and accidentally ripping off the scab as well!

Brilliant, thank you. I've been reading about this stuff and it sounds so much easier than the usual method. I'm sure I can manage with stuff we have at home if I can't use it for whatever reason.

 

[littlepup]

Do you think by the time you're 30+ and have more industry experience you can just put under 'education' on a CV something like "Spring field high school, 2005 - 2010 - GCSEs - All grades A-D" or does it need to be more specific? Then the name of the college, course and grade without any explanation of the content. It's not really relevant to the role, is anyone going to care if you got a B for history and a D for Art?

 

[Former_Antelopee]

I’d rather he didn’t get near my cats space at all- if he could be scared away without hurting him that would be ideal- ( thought about putting hubby in the shed overnight with the garden hose - he would’t do it) might see if i can get a second hand catflap without paying full price for something my older two might not figure out

Or could you feed them inside for a short time so the other cat gets used to the food not being there and maybe won't come back once it's back out

 

[AshMay]

Also looking for some advice, been told by my boss tonight that I've to interview tomorrow, does anyone do interviews, any advice on how to prepare for it, I've got some basic questions I've to ask but aside from that I've never done this before an really no clue as to what to look out for

Good luck! I usually prepare by familiarising myself with the questions, job description, and also reading their CVs/applications beforehand. In the interviews I try to put them at ease, offering drinks and being more informal, and then start with intros to the panel members and a brief background to the role.

If you feel like you could tease more out of someone, don't be afraid to ask follow up questions or clarifications if needed. It's mainly about getting a sense of if they'd be good for the role but also if they'd fit in with the team! As much as I want someone competent, I also like to get a feel for them as person. At the end you can have space for any additional questions or if they have any questions to ask. I'd finish with letting them know next steps and when to expect an update, anything else they need to know etc.

This is probably not helpful if you've already started interviewing but hope they go well!

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

I may not need the blazer but want something with me to cover up in case I get cold and also it’s a daytime event.

Im thinking a nude formal oversized blazer.

What sort of event? I would wear a leather jacket or just take a warm shawl

 

[becca7721]

So the noise upstairs has stopped.

Just got a glass of water and the noise from the fridge (next to sink) was horrendous. Stopped when turned tap off though so hoping it’s nothing bad. No water anywhere or anything like that. Just not noticed it before.

Anyway, made the mistake of then checking my FB and it’s covered with a recent police operation of zero tolerance to the crime I went through and, subsequent findings during the investigation that are also, supposedly zero tolerance, they didn’t even given me a reference number or tell me they’d dropped it.

Am devastated

 

[WeHadFunRight]

Not really sure there’s a solution to this (other than get a new job) but I’ve got myself into a niche job which I now hate. I’ve been signed off with stress until the end of the month and I just can’t work there much longer. I’m talking to recruiters etc but I feel so stuck, my mental and physical health have taken a complete nosedive.

I’m so sorry to hear this MW. I think you’re right, probably the best way forward is to look at options for another role somewhere else. Is it likely you’ll be signed off longer? A month doesn’t seem that long if nothing will change

 

[Snippysnips]

How do you deal with someone who's just being a pain in the arse for no reason?

Am doing a qualification at work, really wasn't interested in it but my boss wants me to go for it, it's split into modules an when I started I had a guy assigned to me, he was basically there to just make sure I included what I needed too, he didn't care what way I done it an was fine with me using spell check as am dyslexic which means some words were being spelled the American way, he also said it was fine to put scenarios down in what I'd do in certain circumstances because he knew when I started it was such a tiny business an we don't follow or have what bigger businesses have, I done my first module an it was sent off an I was graded an it all passed

He's left an I now have a second assigned to me, she is starting to cause such unnecessary stress that I feel like just saying forget it, but I can't because my boss is still wanting me through this, she doesn't want words the American way an bitched because I spelt organization with a z, which means spell checker is out, am not allowed to put scenarios down which is leaving me screwed because we don't follow or do certain things (no visitor badges, sign in book etc) so am really stuck on what to do, everything has to be HER way despite her not being the one grading it, she's basically undoing everything I was told an how I knew to do the modules

I've also said for personal reasons I dont take photos especially when they are being used an going to strangers, she wont listen an because she cant be arsed coming in to observe me which is what they are supposed to do then she wants photos for "proof" whatever that's supposed to mean

Am really stuck on how to bring this all up, I just want someone who's going to check the work is correct regardless of how it's done before it's graded, but if it's not her specific way then it's "wrong" but I really am struggling in how to put the work a different way

 

[and so say we all]

If she is gifted then why not have her skip a grade or 2? Is there a reason they’ve not offered you this option

She has already skipped
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Keep the school, get a tutor or resources at home to encourage her if she’s socially happy there.
Gifited status can be a curse. Have a look up online. The weight of expectation, the feeling ahead to they stop listening then get overtaken, being told how clever they are so again the above happens. The school should support every child but if she’s really advanced compared to her peers can they really cater for her individually in the way you’d want, it is plausible at any school?

Thank you.

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

I’ve seen a job that I’m really interested in applying for. It’s still within the NHS but it’s a different department that I’m not too familiar with. I’ve read through the person spec and job description and I already tick a lot of, if not the majority, of what they’re looking for. I’ve worked in the NHS long enough to know that doesn’t really mean much though so I am REALLY hoping to nail the application and make sure that I’m giving myself the best chance of being successful.

I plan on going through the person spec and job description again and writing examples of how I meet each point, for anything I don’t meet/have no experience with I plan to write a close example and how I would apply that to what they’re looking for. I’ll then put these examples together and use it for the application itself. I think I’m also going to get in touch with the point of contact on the job advertisement to ask for more information and potentially a visit to the department if they allow it.

Is there anything else I should be doing? I tend to overthink job applications and end up word vomiting or go off on a tangent and miss the point completely (although that’s more in interviews I guess). What are the best questions to ask when getting in touch with the department, asking for more information about the job seems a bit too obvious? I have a few weeks before the closing date so thankfully don’t need to rush

That sounds like a really strong plan. I'd definitely visit the department, maybe even shadow them for a day if possible. It shows you're committed and interested. I'd ring and say that you were wondering what their routine working day looks like. That may also provide an opening for you to suggest visiting the department.

In terms of the application. Match their wording as best you can but not in a cheesy way if that makes sense. That way you should breeze through the paper sift if there is one.

Depending on what the questions are you could use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) principle to answer each question. The same principle should serve you well for an interview too and give you a template to try and stick to and prevent word vomit.

I hope it all goes well for you!

 

[Lalla]

I'm not in a union, in fact I don't think anyone in our company is, certainly I've never heard it mentioned.

We've not recruited anyone external into a role at Xs level for at least 5 years (there's been some internal promotions in that time), but even when we did the salary was never advertised. I think I'm going to have to somehow do some digging though.

 

[Kim Mild]

I have a funeral related one
My husband's uncle, married to his dad's sister , has died. I don't think I've ever met him , I've only met her. They live over an hour away so that will be well over an hour each way travelling to the funeral . I don't want to go .I have a few days coming up with several things on , and I bet it falls on those days.
I'm likely to have childcare issues, either getting back for pick up , or no one to look after my youngest. I'm sure if I was employed, I wouldn't be given the day off for it.
I'm not sure how to say I don't want to go.

 

[xbxbx]

A random long shot

Does anyone own a Vauxhall Adam or a Toyota Aygo?

There's are the two I have my eye on, looking for pros/cons of them, are you happy with them, are they good cost wise, how are they with visibility vision (my last car was a Ford Ka convertible an when the roof was up it was incredible restricted seeing out the back) what are they like with hills? my work has a god awful corner hill going up to it

Also had my eye on the little VW beetles but they have discontinued those an I'd rather not have another discontinued car, just looking for something kinda small

I believe the Vauxhall Adam is also discontinued. Not really sure what that means in terms of availability or how it would affect you if you bought one but it’s worth keeping in mind!

 

[havee]

On Monday, ring the dentist and explain that you didn't take it all in at the time and could they explain it again.

They likely wouldn't have suggested it unless necessary but you need to be fully across it to make the decision confidently.

I don't think it will cause your child any speech issues, the new adult tooth will come in soon enough. One of mine knocked his front tooth out at aged 4 so was without one for a couple of years. It hasn't caused a problem as he's got older.

yh ill call tomorrow morning, im fine with taking out the baby tooth but not sure about the decay one as that's the one that online said might cause speech problems, thank you
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Are they taking out the decayed tooth or the remaining baby tooth? I would have thought taking the baby tooth out at this time will only be a positive thing - so that his adult teeth will align correctly in his mouth. I'm sure the removal of baby teeth would only be an issue when speech is still forming, so that sounds are made correctly etc when they're learning to speak.

yh thats what i am not sure about either, yh if it is the baby tooth then im fine with them taking it out. online ti says supposedly taking out any other teeth e..g the decay might cause speech problems.
---

I'd think if it was only the one then it would be fine, I had four out at that age for braces, they weren't my baby ones though but my speech was fine even with having two at each side out

My aunt had a bunch of baby teeth taking out as a teen because her adult ones just weren't moving an again was fine speech wise, so they might be removing it because his adult one just isn't wanting to move until its out, once the baby tooth is out the adult tooth should move down quite quickly an it will help align his teeth

yh hopefully it is the baby tooth, im ok with that getting removed. thank you so much for easing my worries

 

[becca7721]

The only return I got with the parameters you’ve given was this link

Buy Black/White DD+ Non Pad Non Wire Lace Detail Ultimate Comfort Bras 2 Pack from the Next UK online shop

Shop for Black/White DD+ Non Pad Non Wire Lace Detail Ultimate Comfort Bras 2 Pack at Next.co.uk. Next day delivery and free returns to store. 1000s of products online. Buy Black/White DD+ Non Pad Non Wire Lace Detail Ultimate Comfort Bras 2 Pack now!

www.next.co.uk

But it’s not available in 36DD

Literally nothing else came up under pack of two, unwired DD+

ETA their website doesn’t allow searching with product numbers.

 

[Snippysnips]

How to lose weight quickly in a couple of weeks? I’m not looking for it to stat off permanently as I knowna quick fix never works. But it would be great if I could shift about 5kg very fast

Maybe calorie count? Ive heard about apple cider being used but have never used it myself, also putting fresh ginger in food is supposed to be a good fat burner, also stop eating I think it's 4 hours before bed, an apples if you are hungry between meals

 

[Doodlebug005]

Hi Random problem incoming… Cat related - We have 2 outdoor cats that happily sleep and eat in a garden shed- it has a catflap and they can come and go- recently a younger black cat has appeared- it is fighting with my 10 year old tomcat- it can use the catflap and is eating my cats food- hubby saw it zoom out the catflap a couple of mornings- A lad owns a garage on our road but he doesn’t live there we think he may “own” the cat - a number of neighbours have rodent issues at the moment- we have neighbours of the travelling variety and their place is filthy- how to deter the cat from bothering my 2 ? we never see it by day

 

[Snippysnips]

Has anyone purchased anything from Ali express?. I know they're famed for drop shipping but just a one off item?. My son is desperate for a particular funko pop for his birthday and the only place I can find it at a non Eye watering price is Ali express (I know it won't be genuine but he's not fussed about that). Just wondering about delivery time scales, general experiences pls.

If it's cheap enough then might be worth it so long as he's fine it might not be exact, I've known others that have used Ali express an they say it's been ok, obviously it's not the same as the real thing but it's not bad either, I myself use shein for things an have been ok with the quality of what they send, I've gotten diamond art from shops, Amazon an shein an honestly there's little to no difference between them all quality wise so you might be ok with Ali express